President Donald Trump is hammering his own voters with what one analyst described as a "triple whammy" resulting from his renewed trade war with Canada.
Trump renewed his passion for trade wars this week when he announced new tariffs on Canadian goods and relaxed rules to allow more than 300,000 metric tons of foreign ground beef to enter the U.S. market. Both moves have roiled Republican voters, especially those in rural areas, according to Chuck Todd, host of the "Chuck ToddCast" podcast.
Todd laid out the implications of the moves during a new interview on CNN's "News Central." He said the combination of the moves, along with the disastrous impact the war against Iran has had on fuel prices, has created a "triple whammy" that could turn voters away from Republicans during the midterms.
"These are hispolicies," Todd said. "His trade war withCanada, this decision on beefand his decision to go to war with Iran. These aren't things you're going to be able toeasily say, 'Well, we'restill trying to clean up after Biden.'"
The moves have also given Republicans cover to run from Trump, Todd explained.
"You had the republican nominee in Wisconsin, a Trump endorser, say, 'Hey, I don't like what he's done with beef,'" Todd said. "You've already had the two Senate candidates in New Hampshire pull back on what they said he was doing with Canada. So, you're going to startto see more Republicans feellike they have no choice if theywant to speak to the independentswing voter to find somedistance with the president."