Bodnar: Trade War With Canada Is Hurting Montana, and Kurt Alme Just Does What He’s told

MISSOULA, MT — Independent U.S. Senate candidate Seth Bodnar today criticized the collapse of U.S.-Canada trade talks and the new 50% tariffs that took effect over the weekend, warning that Montana families and producers will pay the price for a trade war.

“Montana families are already seeing higher prices at the grocery store, in housing, and at the gas pump. Washington needs to be doing everything it can to lower costs, not picking a fight with our closest ally and biggest trading partner," said Bodnar. “This is what happens when politicians in Washington care more about looking tough than getting results. They torched a deal at the last minute, and Montana farmers, ranchers, and small businesses are the ones left holding the bag."

Nearly half of Montana's exports last year went to Canada, totaling roughly $1 billion, and Washington's chaotic approach to Canada has hurt Montana's economy in more ways than tariffs alone, including a drop in Canadian tourism to the state.

"Kurt Alme is nowhere to be found on this," Bodnar said. "He won't stand up to Washington because he answers to the same Broken System that started this misguided trade war in the first place. Montana families need real relief from higher costs, not an unnecessary dispute with a close ally that raises them further. I'll go to Washington and fight to lower costs for Montana producers and families, and I'll stand up to anyone who gets in the way, no matter which party is in charge."

Seth Bodnar is a Green Beret, business leader, and former president of the University of Montana running for the U.S. Senate to be an independent voice for Montana. Seth is guided by a lifelong commitment to duty, honor, and country. He graduated first in his class at West Point and served multiple overseas deployments, leading soldiers in the 101st Airborne Division and the 1st Special Forces Group, and serving as a special advisor to the commanding general in Iraq. After his military service and a successful career in business, Seth spent the last eight years leading the University of Montana. Under his leadership, the university achieved record high graduation rates, doubled research funding, launched the largest infrastructure renewal in campus history, restored financial stability, and was named the #1 military-friendly university in the country. Raised by two public school teachers, he believes leadership is about service, not party loyalty. Seth and his wife, a fifth-generation Montanan, are raising their three children in Montana.

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