President Trump is removing some tariffs on Canadian goods but is simultaneously imposing new ones on other products, according to the White House. This action follows Senator Susan Collins’ announcement of tariff exemptions for certain Canadian imports crucial to Maine.
While the exemptions were touted as a win, the simultaneous introduction of new tariffs has drawn criticism, particularly in the context of an upcoming election where trade policies are a key issue.
The White House announced on Friday that President Donald Trump is removing tariffs on some Canadian goods. However, these removals are to be accompanied by the imposition of new tariffs on other products from the United States' top trading partner.
This development comes shortly after Senator Susan Collins, R-Maine, claimed credit for persuading the Trump administration to grant tariff exemptions on specific Canadian imports, described as crucial for her state's industries.
Senator Collins' announcement, initially reported by The Wall Street Journal, did not initially disclose that while some tariffs would be lifted, new ones would be introduced for other Canadian goods. The White House unveiled these new tariffs less than an hour after Collins highlighted the exemptions, a move that has faced unpopularity in her home state, where she is currently seeking re-election.
Earlier on Friday, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation to "remove certain products" from the list of items that had faced 50% tariffs imposed over the summer under a 96-year-old trade law.
However, these products are being "replaced with certain valves, carpets, waste products, and others," according to a White House fact sheet detailing the proclamation. The fact sheet, which does not mention Maine, states that these changes are intended to "further refine the scope of the tariffs on certain Canadian products." The adjustments to the list of goods subject to the "Section 338" tariffs are set to take effect on October 30, just four days before the U.S. election on November 3.
When asked about Senator Collins' negotiations with Trump administration officials regarding lower tariffs on products affecting Maine, her spokeswoman Phoebe Keller told CNBC that the senator "requested exemptions for products that are important to Maine and will continue to do so." Prior to the fact sheet's release, Collins' office issued a press release attributing the new tariff exemptions on "nine categories of products crucial for Maine's agricultural industries" to the senator's efforts. This announcement came as early voting began in the critical Maine Senate race, where Trump's controversial tariffs have been a significant issue.
Collins' Democratic opponent, Troy Jackson, a logger from Maine, countered the narrative, asserting that Collins should be held accountable for enabling Trump's tariff policies. Jackson stated, "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." Throughout his presidency, Trump has imposed substantial tariffs on a wide array of Canadian goods, escalating a trade war with the U.S.'s primary economic partner. Many of these tariffs have placed considerable strain on businesses in Maine, which imports more products from Canada than from any other country.
White House spokesman Matthew Middleton stated that Trump's latest tariff proclamation is part of his administration's strategy to "address Canada's discriminatory treatment of U.S. commerce." He added, "The President is taking action in response to Canada's continued discrimination against and additional retaliation targeting U.S. commerce, with the goal of protecting American farmers, manufacturers, and workers. This administration will continue to use every available tool to restore reciprocity in our bilateral trade relationships and safeguard the economic prosperity and national security of the American people." Senator Collins has previously highlighted her efforts to push back against the president's protectionist trade policies. During a televised debate on October 6, she took credit for removing some items, including road salt, from Trump's list of tariffs on Canadian goods. Jackson responded, "What about everything else? We can't eat road salt." In her Friday press release, Collins mentioned that she had requested "tariff relief" for Maine-specific products from U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, emphasizing the "burdens additional costs impose on Maine businesses and families." She concluded, "I will continue working directly with Administration officials to seek additional relief from tariffs and encourage a broader trade agreement with Canada, our neighbor, ally and largest trading partner." According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Mexico is the largest U.S. trading partner, not Canada as previously stated in the article context. The products being exempted from the Section 338 tariffs include corrugated paper, plastic boxes and packing bags, refrigeration equipment, multiple forms of machinery, and seaweed and algae products, according to Collins.
