Trump Eases Some Canadian Tariffs Ahead of U.S. Midterm Elections

US President Donald Trump has removed tariffs on selected Canadian products following months of trade tensions with the United States' northern neighbor, Deutsche Welle reported.

President Donald Trump has eased tariffs on selected Canadian imports as the United States approaches its November midterm elections.

The White House said the tariff relief would apply to products including plywood sheets, certain paper products, machinery and refrigeration equipment. The changes are scheduled to take effect on October 30.

The administration also added new levies on other goods, including carpets, certain valves and waste products, as part of the adjustments.

The White House said the changes were intended to reduce the burden on US commerce while serving the public interest.

The decision comes less than two weeks before the November 3 US midterm elections, with Republican Senator Susan Collins facing Democratic challenger Troy Jackson in Maine.

Collins said she had raised concerns about the tariffs with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

She argued that the duties were increasing costs for families, businesses and agricultural producers in her state.

“Many of our farmers and growers rely on specialized equipment, packaging materials, and other products from Canada that are either unavailable from American suppliers or cannot be replaced without incurring significant expense,” Collins said, according to The Associated Press (AP).

Maine's agricultural sector includes producers who depend on Canadian supplies and packaging materials.

Collins said the tariff relief would help address some of the additional costs facing businesses and farmers.

The administration's move follows a broader trade dispute between Washington and Ottawa.

The United States imposed 50% tariffs on selected Canadian goods over the summer, while Canada responded with retaliatory duties on US products.

The latest changes remove tariffs from certain imports while adding other products to the tariff list. As a result, the action does not amount to a broad resolution of the trade dispute.

The timing has also drawn attention because of Collins' closely contested Senate race.

AP reported that Trump was seeking to help Collins by exempting goods that affect businesses and agricultural producers in Maine. The administration has not described the measure as a comprehensive trade agreement with Canada.

Collins has said she will continue seeking additional tariff relief and broader trade negotiations.