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.
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.
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.
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.
