Shortly before US congressional elections: Trump lifts some tariffs against Canada

dpa | Shortly before the US midterm elections and in the midst of the trade conflict with Canada, the US adjusted some of its tariffs against products from its northern neighbor. Republican Senator Susan Collins from the US state of Maine announced that she had achieved tariff exemptions for products that are of great importance for agriculture there - such as blueberry, potato, apple and algae producers.

The customs conflict is particularly affecting US states near the border, which have traditionally had close ties to Canada. “Imported products from Canada are essential to many Maine operations,” Collins was quoted as saying. “For example, wild blueberry growers in Maine rely on special harvest boxes from Canada.”

In Maine, Collins is fighting for re-election against Democrat Troy Jackson. She had expressly spoken out against Trump's Canada tariffs. Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers in Michigan, for example, has also distanced himself from Trump's customs policy and called for an end to the trade conflict with Canada. He is running against Democrat Abdul El-Sayed – a close race is expected between the two.

The Trump administration had already lifted tariffs on Canadian products such as road salt and cement in September, but at the same time imposed new taxes on other goods. Whether this is planned this time too remains unclear for the time being.

Since US President Donald Trump took office around a year and a half ago, the closely linked neighboring states Canada and the USA have been in a trade conflict that recently escalated with tariffs and counter-tariffs. Both countries are suffering from the effects of the trade conflict. However, the consequences are particularly noticeable for Canada's much smaller economy, which is heavily dependent on trade with the USA. Negotiations about a solution were recently put on hold.