Politics and views in the United States

Canadian PM Mark Carney fights back against new U.S. tariffs. Americans continue feeling the impacts of healthcare cuts and Democratic lawmakers call for a Texas ICE detention center to be closed.

Transcript

Welcome to 2026 Talks, where we're following our democracy in historic times.

Canada will do whatever it takes to build our strength at home and to support Canadian families, workers, our farmers, our businesses.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says the country will stand its ground against new 50% U.S. tariffs.

After the Supreme Court struck down previous levies, President Donald Trump imposed new import taxes on most countries.

Polls show most Canadians want counter tariffs while Americans disagree with the president's trade policy.

Many business owners say the tariffs were expected and they'll carry on as usual, but the new levies could be a challenge for border state Republicans.

Politico reports Maine's Senator Susan Collins is seeking to distance herself from them as she heads into a close campaign.

The White House is also proposing 100% tariffs on generic prescription drugs beginning in 2028.

While the plan hasn't been finalized, it would make medicine more expensive.

That comes as nearly 4 million Americans have been priced out of ACA insurance plans so far this year due to the end of premium subsidies in the Republican budget mega bill.

And estimates show as many as 7 million more people will lose coverage next year when the one big beautiful bill's Medicaid work requirements kick in.

That's likely to be an issue for people like Sarah Krug, a health care provider in Alaska, which could have an unexpectedly close Senate race.

The Anchorage mother says she has a disabled son, but makes too much to qualify under the new guidelines while not enough to get by without help.

My autistic son can't afford to send him to occupational therapy anymore because even with private health insurance, it was going to cost $10,000 a year.

You know, you think twice about going to the doctor because it's hundreds of dollars a pop.

A new Pew survey finds most Americans say the government should make sure everyone has health care.

Democratic lawmakers want a Texas ICE detention center to be closed for deplorable conditions.

One state pediatrician says children in the facility in Dilley, reopened by the Trump administration, face physical and mental child abuse.

Texas Democratic Congressman Joaquin Castro says that trauma is intense and will be long-lasting.

Every single day that a child spends in Dili, they are traumatized.

Over the past several months, this was the seventh time that I've been to Dili.

I've seen it in their faces, as some of them are stone-faced, others are sobbing and clinging to their parents or begging to get out.

A new poll says Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Tallarico leads Republican State Attorney General Ken Paxton by five points.

A black Louisiana Democrat says he won't run for re-election to the U.S.

House after the Supreme Court weakened the Voting Rights Act and his district was redrawn.

Cleo Field says he will run for the state Senate, where he previously served three terms.

I believe my service to the public will be better put closer to home, working directly for the people and communities I've known my entire life.

On a party-line vote, the Senate has confirmed Jay Clayton to be the next director of national intelligence.

Clayton has never held an intelligence job, but many see him as better than the acting director, who previously used government power to go after the president's enemies.

I'm Edwin J. Viera for Pacifica Network and Public News Service.

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That's something you can do once you're elected.