Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, as well as Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) and former President Joe Biden-era Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, slammed President Donald Trump following failed talks between trade representatives from the U.S. and Canada.
Abdul El-Sayed Says Trump Tariffs Costing Michigan Families Thousands
El-Sayed, taking to the social media platform X on Saturday, said that Trump was “escalating a trade war with Canada for his own vanity,” adding that even before the new round of retaliatory Canadian tariffs, Michigan residents were paying “an additional $3,200” annually.
“It’s going to get much worse,” El-Sayed warned before criticizing GOP’s Senate nominee Mike Rogers, who, El-Sayed said, would “rubber stamp” the tariffs like the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
The bridge was supposed to be open to the public and serve as a key route connecting Michigan with Canada’s Ontario province, as Trump demanded half of the tolls collected from the bridge, a demand pushed back by Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney. He then called Rogers a “sock puppet” who would “do whatever Trump wants, no matter what it costs you.”
Gavin Newsom Questions Trump’s Logic
Newsom also took to X on Saturday to express his criticism of Trump as the California Governor called Canada the U.S.’s “closest ally” and a “critical trading partner” that Trump decided to impose 50% tariffs on. “What the actual f*** are we doing?” Newsom asked, lamenting the failed talks.
Following the negotiations, approximately $20 billion worth of Canadian goods will face 50% tariffs despite earlier reports that the Trump administration was reportedly going to cut auto tariffs down to 15%, which would also include deductions based on the value of the U.S. content in the vehicles.
Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy pushed back against criticism of the negotiations, as he questioned Canada’s decision to impose tariffs on the U.S. and called the move “foolish.”
Pete Buttigieg Slams Trump Over Iran And Canada
Meanwhile, Buttigieg criticized Trump’s handling of the war with Iran. “Whether it’s a trade war with Canada or an actual war with Iran, the pattern is the same: Americans are paying the price for the President’s choices,” Buttigieg said in a post on X on Saturday.
Notably, Iran’s Security Chief Mohsen Rezaee warned countries against participating in Trump’s economic restrictions on Tehran, saying that participation in the measures would be considered an act of war against Iran. He also said that there would be no movement of oil from the Strait of Hormuz or the Persian Gulf.
Meanwhile, Trump’s Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had earlier warned that countries maintaining relations with Iran would face severe economic consequences, as Trump had touted restrictions on Iran as an “economic D-Day” for the country.
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