Trump lifts tariffs on some Canadian farm products in boost to Susan Collins days before midterms

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Friday, October 23, lifted 50% tariffs on several Canadian products used by Maine’s agricultural industry, giving embattled Republican Sen Susan Collins a policy win less than two weeks before Election Day. 

Collins, who is seeking a sixth Senate term, has said that she had repeatedly pressed administration officials for relief for Maine businesses. Democrats accused the White House of using the decision to help Collins in a closely contested race.

Tariff exemptions cover products used by Maine farmers

A White House proclamation removed tariffs from a range of Canadian goods, including corrugated boxes, crates, plastic sacks, packing machinery, refrigeration equipment, and seaweed. The changes also cover certain processing equipment, plywood sheets and paper products used by businesses operating across Maine’s agricultural and manufacturing sectors. The exemptions are scheduled to take effect on October 30.

The White House said that the changes were intended to refine earlier tariff measures and “better serve the public interest.”

“President Trump is further refining the scope of the July 20 and September 8 actions to better serve the public interest, and to ensure these measures continue to effectively offset the burden or disadvantage to US commerce from Canada’s discriminatory measures,” the White House said.

Collins welcomed the exemptions, saying that they would help farmers who depend on Canadian supplies and equipment, including producers of wild blueberries, apples and potatoes. 

In a statement, Collins said that “many of our farmers and growers rely on specialized equipment, packaging materials, and other products from Canada that are either unavailable from American suppliers or cannot be replaced without incurring significant expense.”

Democrats accuse Trump of political move as Susan Collins faces tight race

The announcement comes as a rescue for Collins, as she faces a competitive reelection challenge from Troy Jackson, a Democrat and former logger who has served in the Maine state Senate. The contest is considered a toss-up and could help determine which party controls the Senate.

Maine shares a border with Canada and has strong economic ties with its northern neighbor. Industries including agriculture, logging, fishing and lobstering have faced concerns over the effects of tariffs and retaliatory trade measures.

Trump imposed 50% tariffs on certain Canadian goods in August after negotiations between the two countries failed to produce a trade deal. Canada responded with tariffs on about $20 billion worth of US goods, with duties ranging from 15% to 50%. Canada later withdrew tariffs on American seafood, a move that benefited Maine’s fishing industry.

Democrats have said that the latest exemptions amounted to an attempt to improve Collins’ reelection prospects rather than a broader change in trade policy.

Rep Richard Neal, the top Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee, said, “I can’t think of a more desperate admission of failed trade policy than temporarily lowering tariffs on select products to favor a political ally days before an election.” 

Sen Ron Wyden, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, described the move as a “desperate, 11th hour attempt to save Susan Collins’ political career”.

Collins' challenger Jackson wrote on social media, "Trump’s trade wars have made life harder and more expensive for Mainers. Susan Collins enabled this chaos, voted to confirm the people behind it, and now wants credit for bringing a cup of water to put out the fire."