Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers is trying to strike a subtle balance on Donald Trump’s tariffs, arguing that some are necessary while recognizing that others could hurt Michigan.
Rogers has said Trump’s tariffs might help protect Michigan workers and manufacturers, particularly in the auto industry. But he is now also promising that, if elected, he would work with Trump to eliminate tariffs that he believes are harming the state, CNN reports.
At a recent appearance, Rogers pointed to tariffs affecting products including cherries, sugar beets and manufacturing as examples of policies that he believes can benefit Michigan. He said he would distinguish between tariffs that work and those that don’t.
That puts Rogers in a somewhat awkward position. He continues to defend Trump’s broader tariff strategy—saying tariffs are “necessary” but not a catch-all solution—while simultaneously campaigning on his ability to push back when Trump’s trade policies hurt Michigan.
And there’s some history worth remembering here. Rogers has not always sounded like a politician inclined to embrace Trump’s protectionist approach. His previous support for trade agreements makes his current attempt to carve out a more detailed position on tariffs particularly notable.
With Michigan’s economy deeply tied to trade with Canada, Rogers is now attempting to argue that he can support Trump’s trade agenda while also protecting Michigan from its consequences.
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