The Trump administration has granted tariff exemptions on some Canadian products, Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who’s facing a tough re-election battle in Maine, said Friday.
\n\nThe move is an implicit acknowledgement that President Donald Trump’s signature trade policy could be hurting Republican candidates running in the Nov. 3 midterm election. Polls show Democrats have a solid chance to win majorities in both the House and Senate.
\n\nThe White House, Commerce Department and U.S. Trade Representative’s office didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
\n\nThe canceled tariffs include 50% duties on some agricultural and forestry items. These duties were applied to Canada after the country withdrew from trade negotiations with the Trump administration in late August.
\n\nCollins announced the news on social media: “I am pleased to have secured additional tariff exemptions products crucial to Maine’s agricultural industries, including blueberry, potato, apple, and seaweed producers.”
\n\nShe said that plastic boxes, crates, packing materials, refrigeration equipment, sealing and labeling machinery, packing equipment, film, foil and seaweed products were some of the other products getting exemptions.
\n\nCollins said that many “farmers and growers rely on specialized equipment, packaging materials, and other products from Canada that are either unavailable from American suppliers or cannot…
Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/business