Photo: Paul Sancya ~ AP
PODCAST
November 9, 2026 ~ Former Michigan Governor and Ambassador to Canada Jim Blanchard joins Kevin Dietz to discuss Abdul El-Sayed’s comments about working with President Trump on Canadian tariffs and the potential impact on Michigan and U.S.-Canada relations.
LANSING, Mich. ~ As debate continues over U.S. tariffs on Canada, Abdul El-Sayed says he is willing to work with President Donald Trump on policies that could strengthen Michigan’s economic ties with its largest international trading partner. Former Michigan Gov. Jim Blanchard, who also served as a U.S. ambassador to Canada, said the two economies remain deeply connected through the automotive, agriculture and energy industries, making cross-border cooperation critical for businesses and workers on both sides of the border.
Blanchard said tariffs have increased costs for manufacturers and consumers while straining a relationship built over decades of trade and cultural ties. For many Michigan residents whose jobs depend on commerce with Canada, the debate is about more than politics. It is about protecting livelihoods and preserving one of the state’s most important economic partnerships.
