Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has a theory about the Republican reaction to the escalating trade war with Canada: they might actually be rooting for the other side.
Speaking at an event in New York on Monday, Clinton suggested that even in the GOP's inner circles, there's little appetite for a trade war with a close ally. "I can't imagine that even in the Republican cloakroom in the Senate, there's much enthusiasm for going into a trade war with Canada," she said. She argued that Republicans are "probably secretly cheering Mark Carney for standing up to him and doing what he's now doing on behalf of his country."
Clinton pointed to the economic ties between the U.S. and Canada, citing that 40% of Ohio's exports and 60% of Michigan's exports go north. USTR data shows Canada accounted for about 32% and 39% of those states' goods exports in 2025, respectively.
The comments come as the trade dispute between Washington and Ottawa heats up. After talks collapsed just before the deadline, Trump's 50% tariffs on roughly $20 billion of Canadian goods took effect Aug. 22, following a three-day reprieve. Canada responded on Tuesday, saying it would match the U.S. "dollar for dollar," with tariffs of 15%, 25%, and 50% on C$27.6 billion of U.S. imports starting Sept. 8.
The Canadian measures will target steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, and electronics. Carney, who had previously warned of a "full range" of responses, said Canada was acting reluctantly because retaliation would raise costs and reduce consumer choice. Ottawa also announced C$7.5 billion in new and expanded support for affected workers and businesses.
The stakes go beyond the latest tariff list. USTR says U.S.-Canada goods trade totaled about $719.5 billion in 2025. Trump has also threatened 50% tariffs on Canadian cars, trucks, auto parts, and steel beginning next year, while repeatedly floating the idea of Canada becoming a U.S. state.
White House spokesperson Kush Desai dismissed Clinton's remarks in a statement shared with The Hill: "if Hillary Clinton knew anything about Ohio or Michigan – or Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, for that matter – she wouldn't have so humiliatingly lost to President Trump in 2016."
