Trump exempts some Canadian goods from 50% tariffs to help Susan Collins in her tight Maine Senate race
New 50% duties will cover Canadian shampoo, vinyl flooring, coffins, carpets and window air conditioners, narrowing the relief's reach. A further set of exemptions — spanning crates, boxes, packing machinery, refrigeration equipment and seaweed — is due to take effect on 30 October. Collins has said she lobbied trade chief Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to win the carve-outs. Democrat Richard Neal called the move a 'stunt' aimed at helping a political ally.
Challenger Troy Jackson says Collins 'enabled this chaos' and wants credit for 'a cup of water'.
Last month's road-salt exemption drew Jackson's debate jibe that Mainers 'can't eat road salt'.
The dispute stems from the original 50% levy on $20bn of Canadian goods, imposed after trade talks collapsed in August.
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