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Collins Urges Trade Talks After Canada Tariffs Threaten Maine

9/9/2026

14 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) says the White House’s trade war with Canada harms Maine families.
Canada imposed tariffs on $20 billion of U.S. goods, up to 50% on steel, appliances, dairy, paper.
40% of Maine’s exports go to Canada, mainly pulp, paper, and agricultural products.
Collins urged Vice President JD Vance and Trade Representative James Greer to reopen talks.
Governor Janet Mills called the tariffs “a tax on families” on Aug. 31.

History

Historical Context

The soft-wood lumber dispute that followed the 1986 Canada-U.S. free-trade talks led by Simon Reisman and Peter Murphy helped spur the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement, after which bilateral trade reached about 40 percent of Canada’s GDP. New tariffs on Canadian goods echo that earlier clash and could reshape future trade rules.

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Story summary

Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) says the White House’s trade war with Canada harms Maine families.
Canada imposed tariffs on $20 billion of U.S. goods, up to 50% on steel, appliances, dairy, paper.
40% of Maine’s exports go to Canada, mainly pulp, paper, and agricultural products.
Collins urged Vice President JD Vance and Trade Representative James Greer to reopen talks.
Governor Janet Mills called the tariffs “a tax on families” on Aug. 31.

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