Fastrack · Trump Lifts Some Canadian Tariffs to Help Collins

The Trump administration is expected to drop 50% tariffs on certain Canadian agriculture and forestry products. The Wall Street Journal reported the plan, citing unnamed sources.

$20 billion in Canadian goods got 50% tariffs in late August.
5% of Canada's exports to the U.S. fall under those tariffs.
Last month, the administration removed tariffs on road salt and cement.
Cuts could be offset by higher levies on other Canadian goods.

Why it matters: Collins requested relief for Maine industries and consumers hit by the tariffs. Her Democratic challenger, Troy Jackson, has made the Canada tariffs central to his campaign.

AlterNet reports Collins and Jackson are tied in polls ahead of Election Day.
Michigan's Mike Rogers and New Hampshire's John Sununu have also criticized the tariffs.

The story so far

3 steps · since Oct 19

Oct 19Trump Sued Over 50% Tariffs on Canadian Goods18 sources
Oct 236:05 AMTrump Voters Turn Against Tariffs Amid Economic Pain5 sources
Oct 232:33 PMTrump Lifts Some Canadian Tariffs to Help CollinsYou are hereLatest

How 29 sources split on this story

Source landscape

Factuality

High

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Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right

Political Bias

Coverage by lean% of 29 sources

29 sources · 36 articles · 38% Left coverage

Where they split: Coverage differs on whether the move is routine tariff adjustment or a last-minute political rescue for Collins.

Center11 sources

CTV News3hTrump to remove 50% tariffs on some Canadian goods. Here’s what we know NOTUS3hAfternoon Sun: Maine’s Uno Reverse Card - The Washington Sun The Hill4hCollins says certain Canadian goods now tariff-exempt BBC News4hWhite House says the US is lifting tariffs on some Canadian goods Bloomberg6hTrump to Lower Some Canada Tariffs, Maine Senator Collins Says Deutsche Welle3hTrump eases Canada tariffs ahead of US midterms Financial Times4hTrump to cut Canadian tariffs after pressure from Republicans Forbes3hGOP Sen. Susan Collins Says Trump Will Nix Some Canadian Tariffs—As She Faces Tight Senate Contest MarketWatch3hSome Republicans are opposing Trump on tariffs. Maine’s Susan Collins just got him to back down on Canadian levies.Newsweek5hSusan Collins touts Canada tariff relief in tight Maine Senate race PBS NewsHour1hSeeking to help Collins in Maine, Trump exempts some Canadian imports from his 50% tariffs

Left coverage, 11 sources: The left sees a desperate bid to rescue a vulnerable Republican senator from voter anger over Trump's trade war.

AlterNet5hTrump raises eyebrows with 'Hail Mary' pass to save Collins' hide Political Wire6hTrump to Remove Some Tariffs to Help Susan Collins Raw Story4h‘You can’t make it up’: Social media pounces on Trump’s last-minute move for Susan Collins CBS News3hTrump lifts 50% tariffs on some Canadian goods in boon to Maine Sen. Susan Collins Mediaite5hTrump Will Lift Some Canadian Tariffs in Bid to Help Susan Collins, Sources Tell WSJ NBC News5hTrump administration cancels some Canada tariffs, Sen. Susan Collins says Politico5hTrump to lower Canada tariffs for certain agricultural goods, Collins says The Boston Globe4hTrump exempts some Canadian imports from his 50 percent tariffs The Guardian4hTrump drops some Canada tariffs in bid to boost embattled Susan Collins in Maine The Independent4hTrump, seeking to help Maine Sen. Susan Collins, exempts some Canadian imports from his 50% tariffs The New York Times4hAhead of Tight Race, Trump Swaps Tariffs on Some Canadian Goods

Right coverage, 7 sources: The right sees a reported, still-unconfirmed tariff adjustment responding to Collins's request, with the White House calling reports speculation.

Just the News1dTrump to lower Canadian tariffs to boost Susan Collins in Maine, she says NTD4hTrump Removes Tariffs on Some Canadian Products, Adds Others The Epoch Times1dMaine Sen. Collins Says Trump Will Drop Tariffs on Some Canadian Products Newsmax6hReport: Trump Eyes Canada Tariff Relief for Collins The Daily Wire1dSusan Collins Gets An Unexpected Lifeline From Trump In Senate Nail-Biter The Washington Times2hTrump exempts some Canadian products from tariffs, enthusing border-state GOP Sen. Susan Collins Townhall7hThe Tariffs Against Canada Just Changed: Here's What to Know

What’s next: The proclamation could come as early as Friday. A White House official called advance reports speculation and said announcements come from the administration.

A New Jersey food importer has sued, arguing the tariffs exceed legal authority.
Trump has threatened to double tariffs on Canadian vehicles in January without a deal.
Which Canadian products will the final proclamation cover?
Will tariffs rise on other Canadian goods to offset the cuts?
Will courts uphold tariffs imposed under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930?