Capitol News

Elissa Slotkin, a member of the U.S. Congress representing Michigan's 7th District, shared her concerns regarding potential trade tensions between the United States and Canada in a series of tweets on January 31, 2025. Slotkin highlighted the impact that retaliatory tariffs from Canada could have on Michigan's agricultural sector.

In her first tweet, Slotkin emphasized the significance of Canada as a key export market for Michigan farmers. She stated, "Canada is the No. 1 export market for Michigan farmers. Canada has been clear they will retaliate with tariffs of their own — and when they do, it will hit our farmers and ag exports first." This underscores her concern about how such measures could adversely affect local agriculture.

Slotkin continued by noting that "And that’s just autos. Michigan’s farmers are also at risk." Here, she pointed out that while automotive industries often dominate discussions around trade with Canada, other sectors like agriculture are equally vulnerable to potential economic repercussions.

In another tweet posted shortly after, Slotkin expressed her view on the use of tariffs as a policy tool: "Tariffs should be used as a scalpel, not a sledgehammer. I’m very much hoping for some clarification since hurting Michiganders is bad for everyone." Her statement suggests a call for more precise and thoughtful application of tariffs to avoid unintended harm to constituents in Michigan.