Trump lifts 50% tariffs on some Canadian goods, adds others, as Collins presses for Maine relief

President Donald Trump on Friday signed a proclamation that removes some Canadian products from his 50% tariff list and adds others, effective Oct. 30.

The White House described the move as refining the scope of tariffs it first imposed in July under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, a rarely used law that lets a president respond to what he finds is discrimination against U.S. commerce.

What comes off, what goes on

The seaweed exemption and the list of added items come from Reuters reporting; the White House fact sheet lists the first four removals and says valves, carpets and waste products are among the additions.

The Maine angle

Sen. Susan Collins, the Maine Republican locked in a tight reelection race with Democrat Troy Jackson, had urged the White House to address tariffs hurting Maine businesses and farmers, according to Reuters. She said the relief would help the state's blueberry, potato, apple and seaweed producers.

Jackson said Trump's trade fights had made life more expensive for Mainers and accused Collins of enabling them, Reuters reported.

Background

The White House says Canada walked away from a near-final trade deal this summer and retaliated with tariffs on about $20 billion of U.S. exports. Reuters reported that Canada's minister for U.S. trade, Dominic LeBlanc, said Ottawa was assessing the change and was ready to work with Washington.