Trump defends tariffs in Michigan as new Canada levies hit
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- Trump is visiting a General Motors facility in Milford, Michigan, on Monday to defend his tariff-heavy economic agenda as new steep import levies take effect on dozens of US trading partners, with Canada singled out for tariffs as high as 50% on goods including cars.
- Michigan's economy relies heavily on Canada, and the new tariffs — layered on inflation and rising gas prices tied to the war in Iran — have sharpened statewide economic concerns ahead of the Aug. 4 primary.
- The Democratic Senate primary between Rep. Haley Stevens and progressive Abdul El-Sayed will determine who faces unopposed Republican Mike Rogers, while Trump's third Michigan visit of his second term includes backing Rep. John James over businessman Perry Johnson in the GOP gubernatorial race.
- Canada held its own separate ceremony Friday to mark the opening of the $4.7 billion Gordie Howe International Bridge linking Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, after a planned joint US-Canada celebration was scrapped amid tariff tensions.
- The Supreme Court struck down many of Trump's sweeping tariffs, but his administration has argued he can still impose them on Canada for discriminating against US exports including automobiles, prompting Canadian retaliatory levies.
- Oakland County — once a Republican stronghold that backed Biden in 2020 and Harris in 2024 — is hosting Trump's visit, and Michigan Democratic Party chairman Curtis Hertel said the president's unpopularity on cost-of-living issues helps Democrats every time he campaigns in the state.
Why it matters: Michigan's economy depends heavily on Canada, so tariffs as high as 50% on Canadian cars and parts directly threaten the very swing state Trump flipped in 2024 — and Oakland County's shift from GOP stronghold to backing Harris makes his visit a calculated risk tied to sagging approval on kitchen-table issues.
