Sept. 3, 2026 | On the Front Lines of the Trade War with Canada

In this episode of Michigan: We Need to Talk, Stephen Henderson and callers from across Michigan take on the escalating trade fight between the United States and Canada and what it means for Michigan workers, businesses, consumers and the auto industry.Stephen is joined by former Michigan Gov. Jim Blanchard, who also served as U.S. ambassador to Canada; Ben Buyak of Capital Steel and Builders Supply in Holt, a family-owned Michigan steel business navigating the uncertainty around tariffs; and Flavio Volpe, president of Canada’s Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association.Together, they explore the costs and consequences of President Trump’s trade policies: whether tariffs can protect American industry, how much pain businesses and consumers should be expected to absorb, and what happens when Michigan’s economic interests are tied so closely to a country now being treated more like an adversary than a partner.At the center of the conversation: What happens when national trade politics collide with the cross-border relationship Michigan’s economy depends on?Call us anytime at 734-412-7155, or email us at [email protected] our online community at www.MIweneedtotalk.org