Maine tariffs Canada exemptions: Susan Collins wins relief from Trump's tariffs
The White House dropped some US tariffs on Canadian goods on Friday, citing the public interest, delivering exemptions for Maine covering nine agricultural products including blueberries, potatoes, apples and seaweed. Senator Susan Collins, who faces a tight re-election race, had pressed the administration for the relief.
Maine tariffs Canada exemptions: Susan Collins wins relief from Trump's tariffs
Which Maine products are exempt
The move on Maine tariffs Canada exemptions centers on Senator Susan Collins's announcement of exemptions covering nine agricultural products, including blueberries, potatoes, apples and seaweed. The White House also said processing equipment such as plywood sheets, packing boxes, paper products and certain machinery would be removed from the tariffs. Collins said Maine farmers rely on border-crossing equipment and materials that are 'unavailable from American suppliers or cannot be replaced without incurring significant expense'.
How the exemptions came about
The White House dropped some of the US tariffs on Canada on Friday, saying the move would 'better serve the public interest'. It described the step as 'further refining the scope of the July 20 and September 8 actions to better serve the public interest'. Collins said she had repeatedly asked Ambassador Greer, Secretary Lutnick and other senior administration officials for the relief.
I have asked for tariff relief for these important products
She also said she would keep pushing for a broader trade agreement with Canada.
The Senate race backdrop
Collins has served in the Senate for nearly 30 years and is running against Democrat Troy Jackson, a former logger and Maine state senator. The Maine Senate race is considered a toss-up and is crucial to Democratic hopes of flipping chamber control. Industries tied to the state's history, such as logging, lobstering and fishing, were expected to take a hit after Trump's tariff announcements this year.
Canada's response so far
Earlier this week Canadian prime minister Mark Carney said American tariffs hurt both American and Canadian households. He said auto exports to the US have fallen 10% and US exports to Canada by more than 20%.
US tariffs have upended a trade bargain that's existed for decades
After a 50% US tariff on certain Canadian goods began on 22 August, Canada announced retaliatory tariffs ranging from 15% to 50% on $20bn worth of American goods. It later withdrew its tariffs on American seafood, which helped Maine's fisheries in particular. Jackson, meanwhile, raised Collins's vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh at a recent television debate, saying in his opening statement: 'Tonight is about who you stand with when it matters.'
Collins said she would keep pushing for a broader trade agreement with Canada.
