Michigan Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed has sharply criticised President Donald Trump’s escalating tariff war with Canada, warning that the trade dispute threatens Michigan’s economy and the livelihoods of working families. In remarks delivered this week, El-Sayed, a Democrat who won his Senate seat in the November midterms, argued that the tariffs amount to a self-inflicted wound for border states whose manufacturing, agriculture and energy sectors are deeply integrated with Canadian supply chains. He accused the administration of pursuing confrontation over co-operation with one of the United States’ closest trading partners, and called for a negotiated settlement that prioritises workers and consumers over political messaging.
The dispute has intensified in recent months as Washington imposed and then repeatedly adjusted tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminium and other goods, prompting Ottawa to retaliate with counter-tariffs on American products. Economists have cautioned that prolonged friction could raise costs for automakers, farmers and households across the Midwest. El-Sayed’s intervention adds a prominent progressive voice to a growing chorus of lawmakers and industry groups urging de-escalation. The White House has defended the tariffs as leverage to secure fairer terms, insisting the measures protect domestic industry. Neither the administration nor Canadian officials offered immediate response to El-Sayed’s comments.
Independent reporting synthesized from primary wires and global correspondents.