US President Donald Trump has signed an order removing 50% tariffs on some Canadian agricultural and forestry products, with the changes taking effect on October 30, just four days before the November 3 midterm elections. At the same time, the order adds a separate set of Canadian products to the 50% tariff list, partly offsetting the relief.
FAKTA: Trump Canada Tariffs Order
- Signed: Friday, October 23, 2026, by President Donald Trump.
- Effective: October 30, 2026, four days before the November 3 midterm elections.
- Tariffs removed: 50% duties lifted on plywood sheets, some paper products, certain machinery and refrigeration equipment, packing crates and boxes, and fresh and dried seaweed.
- Tariffs added: New 50% duties on products including carpets, paints, shampoos, cocoa powder, wooden coffins, ice cream sticks, air-conditioning machines, chest freezers, archery equipment and canoes.
- Background: The 50% duties on Canadian goods were imposed after Canada withdrew from trade negotiations with the administration in late August, according to NBC News reporting.
- Political context: Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine had urged the White House to act on tariffs affecting Maine companies and farmers; she faces a tight re-election race against Democrat Troy Jackson.
What the Trump Canada Tariffs Order Changes
According to the White House, the order exempts plywood sheets, some paper products, certain machinery and refrigeration equipment, and packing crates and boxes, as well as fresh and dried seaweed, from the 50% tariff rate. The exemptions cover goods used by agricultural producers and food businesses, including specialised equipment and packaging materials.
The relief is balanced by new tariffs. The order adds carpets, paints, shampoos, cocoa powder, wooden coffins, ice cream sticks, air-conditioning machines, chest freezers, archery equipment and canoes to the 50% list. Reporting citing a White House document also listed valves and waste products among the offset items.
Why Maine Is at the Centre
Senator Susan Collins had pressed the White House to address tariffs on products affecting Maine companies and farmers, Reuters reported. Maine borders Canada, and businesses in the state rely on Canadian goods that are either unavailable from American suppliers or cannot be replaced without significant expense, Collins said.
Collins said the relief will aid Maine’s blueberry, potato, apple and seaweed producers, calling them a vital part of the state’s economy. She said on social media that she had secured the exemptions for products crucial to Maine’s agricultural industries. Collins and her challenger, Democrat Troy Jackson, sparred over tariffs at an October 6 debate, and polls indicate a very close race.
Wider Trade Friction
The tariffs on Canada have caused friction with the United States’ northern neighbour, while creating problems for American businesses in Maine and other states that rely on certain Canadian goods. The changes come as Republicans fight to retain control of Congress in the November 3 midterms, with Democrats targeting Collins’s seat as part of their effort to win control.
What to Watch
The exemptions take effect on October 30. Businesses, farmers and importers will now be watching how the revised tariff lists are applied at the border in the days before the election, and whether the changes ease costs for the producers named in the order.
