Trump Shifts Canada Tariffs on 9 Farm Inputs to Aid Maine as Collins Faces Tight Reelection Race
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Oct 26
Trump Shifts Canada Tariffs on 9 Farm Inputs to Aid Maine as Collins Faces Tight Reelection Race
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Oct 26
Summary
Nine Canadian product categories used by Maine agriculture will get tariff relief from Oct. 30, with duties shifted onto other imports such as shampoos, cocoa powder, coffins and carpets.
Susan Collins announced the change as a win for Maine, while White House allies privately hope the carve-out helps her in a closely fought Senate race.
Maine analysts said the move may come too late to materially change voting, given the race's heavy spending and entrenched views.
The tariff tweak comes as Trump makes trade a closing midterm message, citing a $4 billion Audi plant in Georgia even as economists argue tariffs have raised manufacturing costs and failed to revive jobs broadly.
U.S.-Canada trade talks are also showing new momentum after Alberta's referendum, with Kevin Hassett saying the sides are very close to a deal after the August breakdown triggered 50% tariffs on about $20 billion of Canadian exports.