White House Shuffles Canadian Tariff List Ahead of U.S. Midterm Elections
The Trump administration has removed some Canadian goods — including seaweed and packing boxes — from its 50% tariff list while adding others such as cocoa powder and vinyl flooring, in a reshuffle credited largely to Maine Senator Susan Collins.
The White House announced a broad reshuffling of its 50% tariffs on Canadian goods, dropping products such as seaweed, packing boxes and certain plywood sheets while adding cocoa powder, vinyl flooring and shampoos, among others. The changes are set to take effect by the end of the month. Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins said Friday she had secured the exemptions to protect her state's agricultural industries, which rely on Canadian suppliers for blueberry, potato, apple and seaweed production. She said she raised the issue in discussions with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Treasury Secretary Howard Lutnick and other senior Trump administration officials, and also advocated for a broader trade agreement with Canada. Trade lawyer Robert Glasgow noted that more items were added to the tariff list than removed, leaving the overall burden broadly unchanged. Political analysts called the move election-driven, with Collins facing a re-election fight against Democratic challenger Troy Jackson just days before the midterms. President Trump told reporters Friday that a trade deal with Canada is "very close," while Prime Minister Mark Carney, speaking from Istanbul, said Canada could sign an agreement "this afternoon" if the U.S. engaged in good-faith negotiations. Canada's Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said the government would assess the latest measures and that Canada remains ready to work "constructively and in good faith" toward a mutually beneficial trade relationship.
