WASHINGTON, D.C. / ConSynSer / – U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an order removing 50% tariffs on a range of Canadian agricultural and forestry products. The White House announced the exemptions on Friday, October 23. They cover plywood sheets, some paper products, certain machinery and refrigeration equipment, and packing crates and boxes. Fresh and dried seaweed is also exempted. The changes take effect on October 30 and are expected to benefit companies in Maine.
The relief follows a push by Maine Senator Susan Collins, a Republican facing a competitive re-election race. Her office said she pressed for more exemptions in talks with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Collins said the changes would help rural and coastal industries in her state. She named blueberries, potatoes, apples and seaweed among the sectors set to gain. The U.S. midterm elections take place on November 3.
The order does not lower the overall tariff burden on Canada, according to the administration. A U.S. official said new duties will replace the exclusions so the total impact remains unchanged. Products added to the 50% list include carpets, paints, shampoos, cocoa powder and wooden coffins. Ice cream sticks, air-conditioning machines, chest freezers, archery equipment and canoes are also covered. Certain valves and waste products face the higher duty as well.
August tariffs hit US$20 billion in Canadian goods
Trump imposed the 50% tariffs on about US$20 billion worth of Canadian imports in August. The duties took effect on August 22 under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930. The measures apply to covered goods even when they comply with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Products already subject to separate Section 232 national security tariffs remain outside the Section 338 charges. The White House linked the action to disputes over Canadian dairy, alcohol and motor vehicle policies.
The original list covered certain electrical and construction goods, jewelry, textiles and cosmetics. It also included wood derivatives, plastics and alcoholic beverages. Oxford Economics estimated the duties cover about 5.5% of Canada’s 2025 exports to the United States. The firm said manufacturers in Quebec, New Brunswick and Ontario face the greatest exposure. It projected that Quebec could lose about C$1.8 billion in annual industrial output.
Trade talks remain stalled since August
Negotiations on a broader Canada-U.S. tariff deal collapsed in August, and no substantive talks have taken place since. Canada responded with tariffs of 15%, 25% and 50% on C$27.6 billion of U.S. imports from September 8. Those countermeasures cover more than 700 tariff items and match U.S. duties rate for rate. Ottawa later amended its retaliatory duties to remove seafood products. In September, Washington exempted road salt and other goods at Collins’ request.
The latest exemptions take effect on October 30 for goods entering the United States. Importers of plywood, packaging and seaweed products will no longer pay the additional 50% duty from that date. Goods newly added to the list will face the higher rate under the same order. The Canadian government has not publicly responded to the changes. Democratic Senate candidate Troy Jackson said Collins acted only because her seat is at risk.