Trump eases tariffs on some Canadian goods shortly before the midterm elections

Just two weeks before the U.S. midterm elections, Donald Trump’s administration announced the removal of some 50% tariffs on goods from Canada. The decision follows pressure from Republican senators and comes ahead of voting that will determine which party controls the U.S. Congress.

The White House said the changes would take effect on October 30 and would cover certain types of paper products, plywood, specific machinery and refrigeration equipment. Tariffs will also be removed from some crates and packaging boxes, while carpets and certain waste products will be subject to new tariffs.

Susan Collins, the Republican senator running a close race to retain her seat in Maine, said she had repeatedly asked senior Trump administration officials to ease the tariffs. She said the new exemptions would help the state’s agricultural sectors, including producers of blueberries, potatoes, apples and seaweed.

The midterm elections will determine whether Republicans or Democrats control Congress. The result is expected to have a direct impact on the final two years of Trump’s term, making the tariff decision particularly politically sensitive.

U.S. tariffs on Canadian products were imposed after trade negotiations between the two countries failed in August. They affected goods worth around $20 billion, while Canada retaliated with tariffs on U.S. products.

Last month, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney imposed counter-tariffs with the same monetary value as the U.S. measures, saying they were necessary to protect Canadian workers.

Trump had justified the U.S. tariffs by citing what he described as unequal treatment of American products, particularly in the automotive, dairy and alcohol sectors.

The White House said the latest measure was part of the president’s ongoing efforts to protect American workers and ensure fair trade.

Canadian Minister responsible for internal trade Dominic LeBlanc said Ottawa would review the new measures. He also said Canada remained ready for constructive, good-faith talks aimed at building a trading relationship that would bring greater benefits to both sides.

Troy Jackson, the Democratic candidate facing Collins in the Senate race, criticized her for trying to take credit for the tariff relief. He said the trade war launched by Trump had increased economic difficulties and costs for Maine residents.

Maine, in the northeastern United States, borders the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Quebec, and its economy depends heavily on cross-border trade. The consequences of the trade conflict have also been felt in other U.S. states whose economies rely on exchanges with Canada.

Mike Rogers, a Republican lawmaker from Michigan, has also urged Trump to end the trade dispute. Earlier, he had supported the tariff policy in political advertisements broadcast in his state.

On Friday, Trump said Canada was making intensive efforts to reach a trade agreement with the United States.

Carney confirmed that Canada was ready to conclude an agreement benefiting both countries, but stressed that Ottawa would not rush to accept terms that conflicted with its interests.

According to Canadian broadcaster CBC, Carney said an agreement could be reached immediately if the U.S. side were willing. However, he added that Canada could wait for months, even until another U.S. administration took office, to secure a fair deal.

LeBlanc also announced that a Canadian delegation had met with members of the Canada–U.S. Economic Relations Advisory Committee. Thursday’s discussion was the ninth meeting since April 2026 and focused on the continuing impact of U.S. tariffs on Canada’s economy.

The partial easing marks a new turn in trade relations between the two countries. It remains unclear whether this step will lead to a broader agreement to end the economic conflict between Washington and Ottawa.