Senator Collins Warns $170 Million of Maine Goods Would Be Hit by Tariffs in New Letter to Administration

BANGOR, ME - Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins wrote to U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jameison Greer urging them to resume negotiations with Canada and to reach a fair trade agreement to prevent damaging tariffs from taking effect in order to protect Maine workers, employers, and communities from unnecessary economic harm.

She also shared new details quantifying the damage to Maine businesses if the tariffs continue as planned.

"The new 50 percent tariffs imposed by the Administration on certain Canadian imports and the retaliatory tariffs announced by the Canadian government will lead to higher costs, risk, and uncertainty for Maine families, small and large businesses, and our communities," Senator Collins wrote. "For Mainers, commerce with Canada is a regular occurrence. Maine borders only one state, but shares a 611-mile border with Canada. The consequences of Canada's retaliatory tariffs are severe for Maine businesses, including our heritage industries."

"Approximately $170 million worth of goods would be subject to the announced Canadian tariffs, with roughly 62 percent coming from the forest products sector. Nearly 90 percent of Maine is covered by forest. This economic sector supports approximately 30,000 jobs and contributes more than $8 billion to the state's economy," she continued. "Two of Maine's paper mills, which are the largest employers in their towns, have already contacted me about the crushing increased costs that they will incur and the potential impact on their employment levels."

"I appreciate that the Canadian government has revised its initial announcement and removed seafood and fish products, including lobster, from its plan. This would have resulted in more than $200 million in tariffs on Maine's lobster industry, with impacts felt all throughout the supply chain," she added. "The tariffs will also impose significant hardships on Maine communities. For example, Maine municipalities rely on road salt from Canada to keep roads safe from snow and ice in the winter. Frenchville, a very small town on the Canadian border, will have to pay $10,000 more for road salt as a result of the new tariffs."

"Maine's economy is uniquely intertwined with Canada, and the consequences of an escalating trade dispute will be felt by American families, businesses, workers, and communities across the state. Thousands of American jobs and businesses across a variety of sectors are at risk. I urge the Administration to work urgently toward a negotiated resolution with Canada that removes the recently implemented American tariffs and prevents the Canadian tariffs from taking effect," Senator Collins concluded.

The complete text of the letter can be read here.

+++

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.

###

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Tweet