---
title: "Rogers, El-Sayed Split on Tariffs at Detroit Economic Club"
url: https://www.heredetroitmi.com/2026/10/21/rogers-el-sayed-detroit-economic-club-tariffs-ai-housing/
date: 2026-10-21T05:44:14-04:00
modified: 2026-10-21T05:44:14-04:00
author: "Melody Magana"
categories: ["Politics"]
site: "HERE Detroit"
attribution: "HERE Detroit"
---

# Rogers, El-Sayed Split on Tariffs at Detroit Economic Club

> DETROIT, Mich. — Michigan's two major-party U.S. Senate nominees took turns before the Detroit Economic Club on Tuesday, and both said the tariffs on Canada should change even as they parted ways on the rest of the White House trade agenda. Republican Mike Rogers, once a strong backer of the president's tariff plan, repeated his

*Source: [HERE Detroit](https://www.heredetroitmi.com/2026/10/21/rogers-el-sayed-detroit-economic-club-tariffs-ai-housing/) — October 21, 2026 by Melody Magana*

DETROIT, Mich. — Michigan’s two major-party U.S. Senate nominees took turns before the Detroit Economic Club on Tuesday, and both said the tariffs on Canada should change even as they parted ways on the rest of the White House trade agenda.

Republican Mike Rogers, once a strong backer of the president’s tariff plan, repeated his recent call to end the duties on Canada, arguing they ignore how tightly the auto supply chain crosses the border. He credited other tariffs with bringing car production back from Mexico and China and pointed to Silverado work headed to the GM plant in Orion.

Democrat Abdul El-Sayed said he is not opposed to tariffs in principle but called the current approach chaotic and self-serving. He pitched pairing tariffs with industrial policy, including subsidizing a low-cost, long-range electric vehicle while keeping gas engine production strong.

On artificial intelligence, Rogers said a national framework of rules would be a top priority, while El-Sayed repeated his push for a new regulatory agency and a public ownership stake in AI firms. Both said housing costs are holding back growth in the state.

The race for the open seat is rated a tossup by the Cook Political Report. The two meet Wednesday night for their second and final debate before the Nov. 3 election.