U.S.-Canada trade war looms as issue in Minnesota midterm elections

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump’s decision to impose steep tariffs on a long list of goods from Canada is having an impact on the midterm elections, especially in northern border states.

In Minnesota, the new trade war has not turned into a political brawl. But the potential is there for Trump’s tariff policy to become a key campaign issue.

Canada is Minnesota’s largest overseas trading partner and the trade impasse is likely to have a negative impact on the state. Minnesota imports roughly $13 billion in Canadian goods while exporting $5 billion worth of goods to Canada every year.  

So, after DFL attacks, GOP gubernatorial candidate Lisa Demuth was forced to clarify comments she had made at a campaign event last week that seemed sympathetic to the new duties with a statement that said she doesn’t support Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods.

While Minnesota Republicans are tiptoeing aro...