In Atlanta, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, former President Barack Obama argued that economists had warned tariffs would land on shoppers — “consumers pay the tab, and that’s exactly what happened.”
He then turned the trade war into a punchline, describing America’s opponent as “a well-known evil empire, that historical adversary of the United States — Canada,” and joked about maple syrup, Martin Short, and Canadian fans now booing American hockey teams.
The remarks came in a speech built around the cost of living, as Obama campaigned in the final week before the November 3 midterm elections.
Video: AP live feed, recorded by the Zark News desk, October 28, 2026.
Context
Tariffs have been one of the clearest points of attack for Democrats in the midterms. The Trump administration argues its trade policy protects American industry and raises revenue. Most economists, and Obama in Atlanta, argue the cost lands on American shoppers in the form of higher prices. Canada, America’s closest trading partner and ally, has become the symbol of that argument after months of trade fights and public tension between Washington and Ottawa. The evil empire joke worked because the crowd knew the history: Canada is the last country Americans expect to hear described as an adversary. The line drew one of the biggest laughs of the Atlanta rally.
