Trump raises tariffs on some Canadian goods ahead of elections

The Donald Trump administration on Friday raised tariffs on certain Canadian imports, two weeks before the midterm elections, after a Republican candidate facing a tough contest stated she had exerted pressure to bring about this change.

The decision will cover products such as “plywood sheets, certain paper products, specific machinery, and cooling equipment,” according to a White House statement.

This change could help Senator Susan Collins, who faces a strong challenge from a Democratic candidate in Maine, a border state with Canada that was severely affected by the trade war launched by Trump.

Collins said in a social media post that she had “secured” exemptions for “products vital to Maine’s agricultural sectors, including those related to blueberry, potato, apple, and seaweed production.”

Democrats are targeting Collins’s seat as part of their effort to wrest control of Congress from Republicans in the midterm elections scheduled for November 3.

The economies of the United States and Canada are closely linked, with about 70 percent of Canadian exports heading to the United States.

For his part, Dominique Lepage, the Canadian minister responsible for bilateral relations, told Agence France-Presse in a written statement that “the Government of Canada is aware of the recent tariff measures taken by the United States.”

He added, “While assessing these recent measures, Canada remains ready to cooperate constructively and in good faith with the United States.”

Tensions have prevailed between the two North American neighbors since trade talks collapsed in August, prompting Trump to impose a series of new tariffs in response.

However, the measures taken on Friday removed tariffs on certain goods while imposing new duties on other items, including carpets and some types of LEDs and waste, according to the White House.