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.
Get breaking National news
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
literally just read the comments lol
I want the USA to totally boycott Canada as they are anti-American and going Elbows. up. We don’t need them. Let them sink or swim on their own with no help from the USA, including military support.
Steve Hughes
That’s one of trumps hundreds of lies that are sucked up hard core Republicans. Trump could say he created the earth and you people would believe it.
Our “elected” leaders don’t care what we want….
Neither does trump, all he wants is to fill his pockets with more money. So your comment is meaningless because you are also a pawn.
Love listening to the Trump haters, Czarney supporters, Macron morons, Meloni mouthpieces….you are all sheep.
They are destroying our countries from the inside while you idiots take sides, on whose right.
Its all a game….and you pawns are doing exactly what your suppose to….they gain more power and wealth, whilst we argue.
Pathetic….Our “elected” leaders don’t care what we want….
It all sounds desperate
But……but……..but……… doesn’t trump always say that the US needs nothing from Canada?
@Steve Hughes
Are you high? Explain your statement and provide evidence.
Trump should add more tariffs. Canadians have been taking advantage of our friendship
Canada can continue to go Elbows Up and destroy its own economy. Follow Carney right off the cliff. Lol
In all fairness americans are just dumb enough to believe trump lol
Never underestimate Canada Trump. We are true north strong and free unlike your country which is pathetically low on world freedom and democracy indices.
And then reinstall them the day after the mid terms? He’s relying on american voters being stupid.
Mostly, they’re not.
Too little, too late.
“wooden coffins”, thought they would need these due to trumps war that he never started lol!
“subject to tariffs include cocoa powder, paints and varnishes, shampoo, municipal and clinical waste, wooden coffins and sticks, carpets and turf.”
Not sure why we’re selling clinical waste to the U.S, but does Canada even produce most of the other items?
Duh, we like tarrifs. We like trump and his people making billions while we pay more.
Yeah. I see. I know. Alright. Fine. Aldnxkz,mancjs,s indeed. Aldmdma,adn
Congress long ago declared Trump’s tariffs illegal but that hasn’t stopped Trump from making life more expensive for Americans!
Drop dead you republican pos.
@Gord. You realize Doug Ford is buying electricity from USA this winter to make up for Ontario Hydro shortfalls. Enough of your cutting off electricity wet dream.
To Rick in Maine “We don’t want Canadian goods”
No problem, we can start by cutting off electricity from Hydro-Quebec since you don’t want ‘Canadian goods’.
Susan Collins, being a Republican Senator is one of the people who put Trump into power. You can’t trust any Republican as they are the ones who allowed it to happen.
Canada is saved ! (sarcasm) ps. Rick in Maine knows how to spell ?
We don’t want Canadian goods.