President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Friday that removes some Canadian products from tariffs imposed under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 and adds others, the White House said. The changes take effect Oct. 30.
Plywood sheets, some paper products, certain machinery and refrigeration equipment, and certain packing crates and boxes come off the list. Some valves, along with carpets, waste products and other goods, take their place.
The tariffs, set at 50% according to CNBC, apply whether or not a good originates under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. They stack on top of tariffs imposed under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, announced exemptions on Friday for nine categories of products used by Maine blueberry, potato, apple and seaweed producers. The White House released the added duties within an hour of her announcement, according to CNBC. Her statement did not mention the additions, and the White House fact sheet does not mention Maine, according to CNBC.
Collins said she discussed the issue with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. "Many of our farmers and growers rely on specialized equipment, packaging materials, and other products from Canada that are either unavailable from American suppliers or cannot be replaced without incurring significant expense," she said in a statement.
The exempted products cover corrugated paper, plastic boxes and bags for packing, refrigeration gear, a range of machinery types, and seaweed and algae goods, according to CNBC.
Collins faces Democrat Troy Jackson in a tight race, and voters have begun casting ballots, according to CNBC. The election is Nov. 3. Jackson, who is challenging Collins, blamed her for enabling Trump's tariff policies. "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," he said in a statement, according to CNBC.
Collins' spokeswoman Phoebe Keller told CNBC that the senator "requested exemptions for products that are important to Maine and will continue to do so." White House spokesman Matthew Middleton told CNBC the action responds to "Canada's continued discrimination against and additional retaliation targeting U.S. commerce."
The tariffs are also facing a court challenge. Gellert Global Group, a U.S. food importer, filed a lawsuit on Tuesday in the U.S. Court of International Trade arguing that the administration exceeded its authority under Section 338. The suit seeks an order halting collection of the tariffs and refunds for importers who paid them.