White House says the US is lifting tariffs on some Canadian goods
The US is lifting some of its 50% tariffs on Canadian goods, with the White House saying on Friday it was working to "protect the economic prosperity and national security of the American people".
The US is lifting some of its 50% tariffs on Canadian goods, with the White House saying on Friday it was working to "protect the economic prosperity and national security of the American people".
The exemptions could also boost Republican candidates in the midterms elections on 3 November, as many US voters list affordability and economic pressures as top issues.
The exemptions could also boost Republican candidates in the midterms elections on 3 November, as many US voters list affordability and economic pressures as top issues.
Republican Senator Susan Collins, who is in a tight race in Maine to keep her seat in the election, first announced the exemptions, saying they would help her state's agriculture industry.
Republican Senator Susan Collins, who is in a tight race in Maine to keep her seat in the election, first announced the exemptions, saying they would help her state's agriculture industry.
After trade talks collapsed this summer, the US and Canada started an escalating tariff war that has affected both sides of the border.
After trade talks collapsed this summer, the US and Canada started an escalating tariff war that has affected both sides of the border.
The White House, in a statement, said the US was removing certain products from the list of Canadian goods it taxes, such as plywood sheets, some paper products, certain machinery and refrigeration equipment, and certain packing crates and boxes.
The White House, in a statement, said the US was removing certain products from the list of Canadian goods it taxes, such as plywood sheets, some paper products, certain machinery and refrigeration equipment, and certain packing crates and boxes.
It added those items would be replaced with certain valves, carpets, waste products, among others.
It added those items would be replaced with certain valves, carpets, waste products, among others.
The BBC has contacted the White House, US commerce department and trade representative for further comment.
The BBC has contacted the White House, US commerce department and trade representative for further comment.
Also on Friday, President Donald Trump said that Canada is "working very hard" on a trade deal with the US.
Also on Friday, President Donald Trump said that Canada is "working very hard" on a trade deal with the US.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the exemptions, largely focused on Canadian agricultural and forestry, were made in a bid to help Collins and other Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the exemptions, largely focused on Canadian agricultural and forestry, were made in a bid to help Collins and other Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections.
The reductions could be offset by raising levies on other Canadian goods, the Journal reported.
The reductions could be offset by raising levies on other Canadian goods, the Journal reported.
In a statement Collins issued shortly after the report, the incumbent lawmaker, who is trying to clinch her sixth term, said that nine categories of products, including blueberry, potato, apple, and seaweed producers, will be exempted from US tariffs on Canada.
In a statement Collins issued shortly after the report, the incumbent lawmaker, who is trying to clinch her sixth term, said that nine categories of products, including blueberry, potato, apple, and seaweed producers, will be exempted from US tariffs on Canada.
"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 on X.
"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 on X.
Collins said she has asked US officials and senior administration officials to seek additional relief and encourage a broader trade agreement with Canada.
Collins said she has asked US officials and senior administration officials to seek additional relief and encourage a broader trade agreement with Canada.
Maine's economy, as well as that of other border states, is deeply linked to Canada and have felt the effects of the month-long trade war.
Maine's economy, as well as that of other border states, is deeply linked to Canada and have felt the effects of the month-long trade war.
Michigan lawmaker Mike Rogers, also a Republican, has aired adverts calling on Trump to end the standoff in his trade-reliant state after spending months supporting the policy,
Michigan lawmaker Mike Rogers, also a Republican, has aired adverts calling on Trump to end the standoff in his trade-reliant state after spending months supporting the policy,
In New Hampshire, former Senator John Sununu has also been critical of the retaliatory tariffs.
In New Hampshire, former Senator John Sununu has also been critical of the retaliatory tariffs.