White House Announces Partial Tariff Relief for Canadian Goods Ahead of Midterm Elections

The White House said that while some tariffs would be lifted, including on certain packing crates and boxes, other items such as carpets and “waste products” would still face duties.

The administration said the action reflected President Trump’s continued efforts to defend American workers and ensure fair trade.

White House spokesman Matthew Middleton said, “President Trump continues to address Canada’s discriminatory treatment of U.S. commerce.”

In a statement to the BBC, Canada’s Minister for Internal Trade Dominic LeBlanc said: “While we assess these latest steps, Canada stands ready to work constructively and in good faith towards a more mutually beneficial trading relationship that respects Canada’s interests.”

The White House’s announcement came less than two weeks before the U.S. midterm elections, which will determine whether President Trump’s Republican Party or the Democrats control Congress and shape the remaining two years of his term.

Collins said she has repeatedly asked senior Trump officials for tariff relief and would “continue working directly with administration officials to seek additional relief and encourage a broader trade agreement with Canada, our neighbour, ally, and largest trading partner.”

She wrote on X that the tariff exemptions were for products that were “crucial to Maine’s agricultural industries, including blueberry, potato, apple, and seaweed producers.”

Collins’ Democratic challenger, Troy Jackson, responded: “Trump’s trade wars have made life harder and more expensive for Mainers. Susan Collins enabled this chaos, voted to confirm the people behind it, and now wants credit for bringing a cup of water to put out the fire.”

Maine borders the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Quebec. Its economy, as well as that of other border states, is deeply tied to Canada and has felt the effects of the months-long trade war.

Michigan Republican lawmaker Mike Rogers has called on Trump to end the standoff after spending months supporting the policy in recent advertisements airing in his trade-reliant state.

On Friday, President Donald Trump also said Canada was “working very hard” on a trade deal with the U.S.

Carney said that Canada was open to a mutually beneficial deal but was willing to wait it out.

“We could sign it this afternoon if the US were there. If it has to be months from now or longer than that, or another administration, before a proper deal comes into place, we will do that,” he said on Friday, according to Canadian broadcaster CBC.

LeBlanc confirmed on Thursday that a delegation had met with members of the Canada-United States Economic Relations Advisory Committee — the ninth meeting since April 2026. The committee members discussed the ongoing impact of U.S. tariffs in Canada.

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