White House cuts tariffs on Maine plywood following Collins' lobbying

The Trump administration is lifting some of its 50% tariffs on Canadian goods two weeks before the midterm elections, after a Republican candidate in a key US Senate race said she had lobbied for the change. From 30 October, tariffs will be eased on products such as plywood sheets, certain paper goods, some machinery and refrigeration equipment. The move comes as the White House says it is defending American workers and ensuring fair trade.

The tariffs were imposed in August after trade talks between Washington and Ottawa collapsed. The United States levied a 50% duty on about $20 billion worth of Canadian imports, citing “unequal treatment” of American cars, dairy and alcohol. Canada responded with counter‑tariffs, and Prime Minister Mark Carney said they were necessary to protect Canadian workers. The two sides had been at a stalemate for months, with Canada matching the U.S. duties dollar for dollar.

Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine, who is fighting to keep her seat, first announced the exemptions, saying they would help Maine’s agriculture industry. She highlighted products crucial to Maine, such as blueberries, potatoes, apples and seaweed. Collins said she had repeatedly asked senior Trump officials for relief and would keep working with the administration. White House spokesman Matthew Middleton framed the decision as part of President Trump’s “continued efforts to defend American workers.” Canada’s trade minister Dominic LeBlanc said Canada remains ready to work constructively for a more mutually beneficial relationship. The White House also added new duties on items like carpets and certain waste products, keeping a trade balance in check.

The announcement arrives less than two weeks before the midterm elections, which will decide whether Republicans or Democrats control Congress. The outcome will shape the remaining two years of President Trump’s term and influence future trade policy. In Maine, the decision has already sparked debate, with Democratic challenger Troy Jackson accusing Collins of enabling trade wars. The change could ease costs for some American businesses, but it also signals that trade disputes may continue to play a role in domestic politics. The next few weeks will see whether the tariffs are expanded further or whether a broader trade agreement is negotiated.