Trump's Canada tariffs spark political backlash in Pennsylvania ahead of 2026 races

President Donald Trump announced a series of tariffs on Canadian products, with rates up to 50 percent beginning on September 8, after Canada responded with its own levies. Pennsylvania, which exported $13.4 billion to Canada last year, will see roughly $2 billion of those shipments—about 16 percent—subject to the new duties, hitting key sectors like raw aluminum, lumber and passenger vehicles. Trade analysts warn that the measures could raise prices for both businesses and consumers across the state.

Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro has seized on the issue, labeling the tariffs a "tax on Pennsylvanians" and positioning himself against Republican nominee Stacy Garrity, who supports Trump’s approach. Polling from one outlet/Philadelphia Inquirer/Siena College and Franklin & Marshall shows Shapiro ahead of Garrity by 16 and 25 points respectively. The fallout is being framed by Democratic strategists as a test of the party's ability to win back a pivotal swing state in the 2026 midterms and possibly set the stage for Shapiro's 2028 presidential ambitions.