Senator Collins’ Statement on Canada Exempting American Seafood from Retaliatory Tariffs

BANGOR, ME - U.S. Senator Susan Collins released the following statement after the Canadian government announced its decision to exempt American seafood from its list of planned retaliatory tariffs:

"I very much appreciate Canada's decision to remove seafood and fish products from its retaliatory tariff list. These tariffs would have caused tremendous harm to Maine's lobstermen, disrupting one of their most important markets during the fall fishing season.

"I urge the U.S. to respond to this show of good faith from our Canadian friends by returning to the negotiating table and working to amicably resolve this trade dispute.

"Canada is not China. Canada is one of our closest allies and largest trading partners. Our economies are inextricably linked, especially in the border regions. Continuing with these tariffs will harm Maine families, small businesses, municipalities, manufacturers, and farmers.

"When I spoke with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer this week, I stressed the negative impact U.S. tariffs will have on Maine - especially our forest, food, cement, road salt users and producers. Tariffs will also stress municipal budgets, as small towns in Maine rely on Canadian road salt and cannot afford to incur extra costs to keep their roads safe in the winter."

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Senator Collins has repeatedly opposed broad tariffs on Canadian goods and worked to protect Maine businesses and communities from their negative effects.

Earlier this month, following the proposed 50 percent tariffs on more than 500 categories of Canadian imports, she wrote to the Commerce Secretary and the U.S. Trade Representative urging the Administration to provide Maine businesses with greater clarity and notice regarding the tariffs and to consider their expected negative impact on Maine's economy before any potential implementation. She also met with Canadian Ambassador Mark Wiseman to discuss the tariffs and the broader economic relationship between the U.S. and Canada.

In April 2025, she delivered remarks on the Senate floor in support of a resolution to end the emergency declaration being used to impose tariffs on Canadian goods; joined a bipartisan group in introducing the Trade Review Act of 2025, which would reassert Congress' constitutional authority over tariffs; and urged the Administration to exempt previously contracted fire truck orders from tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum that were expected to increase the cost of each truck by $80,000 to $90,000.

In July 2025, she joined a bipartisan group in introducing the Creating Access to Necessary American-Canadian Duty Adjustments (CANADA) Act, which would exempt U.S.-owned small businesses from tariffs on Canadian imports.

In December 2025, she requested targeted tariff relief for Maine's wild blueberry producers, including an exemption for specialized Canadian equipment used to harvest, process, and mow the crop.

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