She wrote on X that the tariff exemptions were on products that were “crucial to Maine’s agricultural industries, including blueberry, potato, apple, and seaweed producers”.
Collins’ Democratic challenger, Troy Jackson, responded: “Trump’s trade wars have made life harder and more expensive for Mainers. Susan Collins enabled this chaos, voted to confirm the people behind it and now wants credit for bringing a cup of water to put out the fire.”
Maine borders the Canadian provinces New Brunswick and Quebec. Its economy, as well as that of other border states, is deeply linked to Canada and they have felt the effects of the months-long trade war.
Michigan lawmaker Mike Rogers, also a Republican, has called on Trump to end the standoff after spending months supporting the policy in recent advertisements airing in his trade-reliant state.
Also on Friday, Trump said Canada was “working very hard” on a trade deal with the US.
Carney, who has sought closer ties with Europe since the tariff war erupted, said that Canada was open to a mutually beneficial deal, but was willing to wait it out.
“We could sign it this afternoon if the US were there,” he said on Friday, according to Canadian broadcaster CBC. “If it has to be months from now or longer than that, or another administration, before a proper deal comes into place, we will do that.”
LeBlanc confirmed on Thursday that a delegation met members of the Canada-United States Economic Relations Advisory Committee – the ninth meeting since April 2026. The committee members discussed the ongoing impact of US tariffs in Canada.
