Ahead of the midterm elections, US President Donald Trump lifted some tariffs on Canadian imports on Friday after a vulnerable Republican candidate said she lobbied for the change.
Under the relief, products including plywood, some paper products, certain machinery and refrigerant equipment will be excluded from tariffs, the White House said in a statement.
The change could help Senator Susan Collins, who faces a strong challenge from a Democrat in the U.S.-Canada border state of Maine, which has hit hard by Trump’s trade war.
Taking to social media, she posted that she had secured the exemptions for the products crucial to Maine’s agricultural industries, including blueberry, potato, apple and seaweed producers.
Meanwhile, Democrats are targeting Collins’ seat in their attempt to win control of the Congress from the Republicans in upcoming elections.
Tensions between North America neighbors has escalated since trade talks broke down in August, with Trump imposing a slew of renewed taxes in response.
Friday’s action lifts tariffs on certain goods, however, imposes levies on new ones like carpets, certain valves and waste products, the White House said in added in its statement. The new measures will take effect from October 30th.
“The Canadian government takes note of these recent tariff measures adopted by the United States,” Dominic LeBlanc, Ottawa’s minister in charge of US-Canada trade, said in a statement.”
“While evaluating these recent measures, Canada remains ready to work together in a constructive and good-faith manner” with the US, he added.
Previously, Trump had levied tariffs on autos, steel, aluminum, and lumber which has heavily impacted the Canadian economy, causing job losses and stunting growth.
Canada, following the tariff announcement, has entered a technical recession after two consecutive quarters of economic contraction.
Following the failure of trade talks in August, 5.5% of exports to United States were impacted, targeting products ranging from hockey sticks to cement.