The administration of US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday the removal of tariffs on a number of Canadian imports, a move coming just two weeks before the midterm elections in the United States.
The White House clarified in a statement relayed by "Agence France-Presse" that the new exemptions cover various products such as plywood sheets, some paper products, and specific cooling machines and equipment, thereby easing trade burdens on sectors reliant on economic exchange between the United States and Canada.
Support for Farmers in Maine
The decision is viewed as a boost for Republican Senator Susan Collins, who is facing a fierce electoral contest in the border state of Maine with Canada, which has been noticeably affected by trade tensions between the two countries. Collins confirmed that she succeeded in securing tariff exemptions for vital products for the state's economy, including blueberry, potato, apple, and seaweed production sectors, considering that this step will support farmers and local industries.
Canadian Reactions and New Measures
From the Canadian side, Ottawa expressed a cautious stance towards the new US measures. The minister responsible for Canadian-American relations, Dominique Lepage, confirmed that the government is studying the recent measures, while remaining ready for constructive cooperation with Washington. Despite the reduction of tariffs on some imports, the United States imposed new duties on other goods including carpets, certain types of LEDs, and waste, with these measures taking effect starting October 30.
Trade relations between the United States and Canada have seen escalating tensions since the collapse of trade negotiations between the two sides last August, prompting the Trump administration to impose a series of reciprocal tariffs. Canada is the largest trading partner of the United States, with about 70% of Canadian exports heading to the US market, making any changes in tariff policies directly impactful on the economies of both countries and their supply chains.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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