Trump lifts 50% tariffs on select Canadian goods ahead of Maine Senate race

President Donald Trump signed an order on Friday that eliminates the 50% tariff on a range of Canadian agricultural and forestry items, including plywood sheets, certain paper products, machinery, refrigeration equipment, packing crates, and fresh and dried seaweed. The relief takes effect on Oct. 30, just days before the midterm elections.

The White House said the adjustment is intended to address concerns raised by Senator Susan Collins, who argued that Maine’s blueberry, potato, apple and seaweed producers rely on specialized Canadian inputs that are difficult to replace domestically. >"These producers are a vital part of our state's economy and support our rural and coastal communities," Collins said.

The order also adds a number of Canadian products to the existing 50% tariff list, such as carpets, paints, shampoos, cocoa powder, wooden coffins, ice-cream sticks, air-conditioning units, chest freezers, archery equipment and canoes.

Democratic challenger Troy Jackson, who is contesting Collins’ seat, criticized the move, saying the tariffs have increased costs for Mainers. >"Trump's trade wars have made life harder and more expensive for Mainers," Jackson said.

The tariff changes come after Trump imposed 50% duties on $20 billion of Canadian imports in August, prompting reciprocal Canadian tariffs on U.S. goods. White House spokesperson Matthew Middleton said the president is continuing to address what the administration calls Canada’s “discriminatory treatment of US commerce” and is “refining the scope” of the earlier tariffs.

Republican candidates in border states such as Maine and Michigan are balancing support for Trump’s trade agenda with the need to appeal to independent voters ahead of closely contested Senate races.