U.S. President Donald Trump says he is providing an exemption to 50 per cent tariffs for some agricultural goods that he said are “consistent with the interest of the United States.”
Under the amendment issued by the White House on Friday, 22 products previously subject to 50 per cent tariffs would be allowed to cross the border duty free, while 100 new products were added under Section 338 and would be subject to a 50 per cent tariffs.
In his proclamation, Trump asserted that the tariffs were imposed to “offset the burden or disadvantage on U.S. commerce from Canada’s discrimination or unreasonable and unequal imposition on U.S. auto and auto part exports.”
Items that will be subject to exemption include corrugated paper and boxes, plastic boxes and crates, plastic packing bags, refrigeration and freezing equipment, agricultural machinery, filling and labelling machinery, packing machinery, non-adhesive plates, sheets, film, for and strip, and seaweed and algae products.
New items that will be subject to tariffs include cocoa powder, paints and varnishes, shampoo, municipal and clinical waste, wooden coffins and sticks, carpets and turf.
Based on U.S. trade numbers from 2025, the value of the goods Trump is removing tariffs on is $5.1B and the value of the goods the U.S. is putting new tariffs on is only $2.6B.
The White House said the changes will come into effect Oct. 30.
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Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins said she was “pleased to have secured additional tariff exemptions for products crucial to Maine’s agricultural industries, including blueberry, potato, apple and seaweed producers.”
“Many of our farmers and growers rely on specialized equipment, packaging materials, and other products from Canada that are either unavailable from American suppliers or cannot be replaced without incurring significant expense,” she said.
The Maine senator said she has had repeated conversations with United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick where she has asked for tariff relief for certain imports.
Trump’s trade war with Canada has become a political flashpoint in states like Maine and Michigan ahead of November’s midterms.
Collins has repeatedly broken with Trump over his tariffs on Canada. Maine shares a border with Quebec and New Brunswick and relies heavily on trade with Canada.
But Trump’s unpopular policies — including his tariff campaign against Canada — have put Collins’ seat in jeopardy. Her Democratic challenger, Troy Jackson, has made the trade war with Canada a key issue in the tight race.
Collins has argued on the campaign trail that her behind-the-scenes advocacy has secured tariff relief, pointing to the Trump administration’s decision to lift duties on road salt and concrete.
Jackson has countered that Mainers “can’t eat road salt” and small carveouts won’t reverse the wider economic damage caused by Trump’s tariffs and trade war.
Jackson responded to his challenger’s tariff announcement Friday by saying 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.”
“Mainers needed help long before Susan Collins needed saving. But apparently, families struggling to pay their bills wasn’t enough of an emergency. Her losing her job is,” Jackson posted on social media.
“We deserve a senator who stands up to Trump — not one who rubber-stamps his agenda and begs for relief from the chaos she helped create.”
Collins said she “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.
According to the latest poll from Beacon Research and Shaw & Company Research, Collins and Jackson sit neck and neck, each with 49 per cent of the vote.
The U.S. midterms are scheduled for Nov. 3.
– With files from The Canadian Press
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