A sign in Detroit for the Ambassador Bridge to Canada | Ken Coleman
Updated, 12:06 p.m., 2/5/25
The U.S. and Canada have put a pin in placing competing tariffs on imports from one another for 30 days, but the possibility of a trade war with their Canadian neighbors has the majority of Michiganders concerned, a poll released Wednesday by the Detroit Regional Chamber found.
The statewide survey of 600 registered Michigan voters from across the political spectrum polled from Jan. 2 to 7, reflects that the majority of Michiganders — whether they identify as strongly Republican or Democrat — view Canada as an economic friend. The majority of individuals polled said they believe the hefty tariffs on Canadian imports President Donald Trump has proposed will particularly hurt Michigan’s economy. The poll conducted by the Chicago-based Glengariff Group had a 4% margin of error.
Trump campaigned heavily in Michigan and promised to enact tariffs on foreign trade partners to encourage the U.S. to become more self-sufficient and keep jobs within its borders. He won the vote in Michigan in 2024 by about 80,000 votes as more voters than ever turned out for the election.
Trump postpones big tariffs against Canada and Mexico for one month
Now in office, his administration had announced that a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada was set to be put in effect Tuesday.
But after threats from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to match the 25% tariffs, Trump and Trudeau announced Monday via social media posts that the tariffs would have a 30 day pause while the countries work on border issues, with Trudeau noting on social media that Canada will be investing more than $1 billion into reinforcing the Canadian-American border.
And whereas Trump pinned other countries like Canada and Mexico as fierce competition trying to take away from Michigan’s economic future, the Detroit Regional Chamber poll reflects that 68% of voters see Canada as an economic friend, including 83% who identified as strong Democrats and nearly 57% of those who identified as strong Republicans.
Additionally, nearly 52% of those polled believed a 25% tariff on Canadian goods would be detrimental to Michigan’s economy, with only about 16% saying that they believe the tariff would help.
Michigan would likely be the state hardest hit by economic fallout from tariffs on Canadian, Mexican and Chinese goods, a December analysis from Fitch Ratings examining data from the U.S. Census Bureau found. The analysis reflects that Michigan imports more goods from Canada, China and Mexico than any other state and is a top exporter with those nations, as well.
It’s clear Michiganders view Canada as a friend, Detroit Regional Chamber President and CEO Sandy Baruah said in a news release Wednesday. He adds that the poll demonstrates that as a state Michigan knows that tariffs on goods from Canada pose negative impacts for business in Michigan.
“Tariffs, which are taxes, on Canadian products will have a disproportionate impact on the agriculture and manufacturing industries and a disproportionate impact on Michigan and Michigan workers,” said Baruah. “This poll demonstrates that Michiganders understand this and are saying, ‘Leave Canada alone.’”
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