Paying the price
Slotkin warns about trade dispute
Trending
HOUGHTON -- The ongoing trade dispute between the United States and Canada is disproportionately impacting Michigan consumers negatively and undermining deeply integrated regional supply chains, U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., warned Wednesday.
“I think getting into a spitting match with the Canadians is bad for both the United States and for Canada,” Slotkin told the Daily Mining Gazette during an interview at the MTEC SmartZone. “And I think Michigan is like the kid caught in the middle. The parents are fighting and Michigan is feeling it more than any other state in the country.”
Slotkin said that on a per-household basis, the trade dispute creates an estimated cost of $5,619 per Michigan family, the highest per-capita financial burden of any state in the nation.
Data released on Sept. 1 by the nonpartisan National Taxpayers Union Foundation corroborates the senator's warnings. According to the foundation’s state tariff tracker, Michigan-bound imports have incurred roughly $23 billion in cumulative executive duties since January 2025.
“We're feeling it economically,” Slotkin said, referencing the broad domestic squeeze on manufacturing, automotive parts, and raw materials. “Over $5,000 per Michigander extra, because of the tariffs and the fighting going on, and the retribution between the U.S. and Canada. Five thousand dollars per Michigander, more than any other state in the country.”
Given the Upper Peninsula's geographic proximity and close social ties to Canada, Slotkin pointed out the political friction negatively impacts family, cultural, and day-to-day business relationships unique to border states.
“Of course, because of our geography, these are our cousins,” Slotkin said. “Like we have bonds of relationship and family and businesses, and we've integrated our supply chains.”
While Slotkin expressed confidence that the long-standing international alliance will outlive the current political tensions, she criticized the short-term economic posturing taking place at the federal level.
“Our relationship will endure long beyond any one president,” Slotkin said. “But it's just dumb to get into a manhood issue with someone who you have so much interest with.”