Trump eases select Canada tariffs just before midterms, citing Maine senator’s push

President Donald Trump announced on Friday that the United States is lifting tariffs on several Canadian imports, a step taken two weeks before the November 3 midterm elections. The waiver covers plywood sheets, some paper products, certain machinery and refrigeration equipment, the White House said. The same announcement also introduced new levies on carpets, specific valves and waste products, set to start on October 30.

Reaction

Senator Susan Collins of Maine posted that she had secured the exemptions for products vital to the state’s blueberry, potato, apple and seaweed farms. Collins warned that many Maine farmers rely on specialised Canadian equipment and packaging that cannot be sourced cheaply in the United States. Ottawa’s trade minister Dominic LeBlanc said Canada notes the new measures and remains ready to work with the United States in a constructive, good‑faith manner.

Context

The United States and Canada trade heavily, with about 70 % of Canadian exports destined for the U.S. Tensions rose after trade talks collapsed in August, prompting Trump to impose tariffs on roughly $20 billion of Canadian goods – about 5.5 % of Canada’s U.S. exports – including autos, steel, aluminium and lumber. Those earlier duties hurt Canadian jobs and pushed the country into a technical recession after two consecutive quarters of contraction. The latest adjustments aim to ease pressure on Maine’s agricultural sector while still keeping new tariffs in place on other items.