President Donald Trump speaks with Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen after a back to school event in the Rose Garden of the White House, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, in Washington.
President Donald Trump insists he's trying to level the playing field with Canada through more tariffs. But his approach could complicate Republicans' efforts to defend their Senate majority in November. Five states with critical Senate races count Canada as a major trading partner. Four of them are along the U.S.-Canada border. Maine Sen. Susan Collins is the Republican who has most clearly tried to distance herself from Trump's policy. But she and others are taking hits for Trump's trade wars anyway. Democrats say Republicans will not truly stand up to Trump on any of his policies, including tariffs that are raising prices on U.S. consumers.