WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump’s administration is easing some tariffs on Canadian goods, weeks before crucial midterm elections, after a Republican senator facing a tight re-election contest said she had lobbied for the exemptions.
The White House announced on Friday that tariffs would be reduced on selected products, including plywood sheets, some paper products, machinery and refrigeration equipment, from 30 October.
Republican Senator Susan Collins, who is seeking another term in Maine, welcomed the move, saying it would support the state’s agricultural industries.
The decision comes after Washington imposed tariffs of up to 50% on about $20bn (£15bn) worth of Canadian goods following the collapse of trade negotiations in August.
While some products will receive relief, the administration said new tariffs would apply to other items, including carpets and certain waste products.
The White House said the changes reflected Trump’s efforts to protect American workers and ensure fair trade.
“President Trump continues to address Canada’s discriminatory treatment of US commerce,” White House spokesman Matthew Middleton said.
Election Pressure
The announcement comes less than two weeks before the US midterm elections, which will determine whether Republicans retain control of Congress or Democrats gain power, potentially reshaping the final two years of Trump’s presidency.
Collins said she had repeatedly pressed senior administration officials to ease the tariffs.
She said the exemptions covered products vital to Maine’s agricultural sector, including blueberries, potatoes, apples and seaweed.
“I will continue working directly with administration officials to seek additional relief and encourage a broader trade agreement with Canada, our neighbour, ally, and largest trading partner,” Collins said.
Her Democratic challenger, Troy Jackson, criticised the move, arguing that Collins was seeking credit for addressing a problem created by the administration she had supported.
“Trump’s trade wars have made life harder and more expensive for Mainers,” Jackson said. “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.”
Maine shares a border with the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Quebec, and its economy is closely linked to cross-border trade.
Other Republicans in trade-dependent states have also called for changes to Trump’s tariff policy. Michigan lawmaker Mike Rogers has urged the president to end the dispute after previously supporting the policy in campaign advertisements.
Canada Responds
Canada said it was assessing the latest US measures but remained willing to pursue a trade agreement.
Internal Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said Ottawa was prepared to work towards a relationship that benefited both countries and respected Canadian interests.
Trump said on Friday that Canada was “working very hard” to reach a trade deal with Washington.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said his government remained open to an agreement but would not rush into a deal that failed to serve the country’s interests.
“We could sign it this afternoon if the US were there,” Carney said, according to Canadian broadcaster CBC. “If it has to be months from now or longer than that, or another administration, before a proper deal comes into place, we will do that.”
LeBlanc said a Canadian delegation had met members of the Canada-United States Economic Relations Advisory Committee on Thursday. It was the committee’s ninth meeting since April 2026, with discussions focusing on the impact of US tariffs on Canada.
Trade Dispute
The two countries have exchanged trade measures since negotiations broke down, with Canada introducing counter-tariffs in response to US duties.
Carney has described the measures as necessary to protect Canadian workers. Last month, Canada matched US tariffs “dollar for dollar” following the collapse of talks.
Trump had justified the US measures by citing what he described as unfair Canadian treatment of American cars, dairy products and alcohol.
The latest exemptions offer some relief to businesses on both sides of the border, but the broader trade dispute remains unresolved.
