Trump administration lifts some Canada tariffs two weeks before midterms as Canadian economy strains

The Trump administration on Friday, October 23, 2026, lifted some tariffs on Canadian imports, two weeks before the November 3 midterm elections, the White House said. The exemptions cover plywood sheets, some paper products, certain machinery and refrigeration equipment. Senator Susan Collins of Maine, a Republican facing a strong Democratic challenge, said she lobbied for the change and that it protects Maine blueberry, potato, apple and seaweed producers. Democrats are targeting her seat in their bid to take control of Congress. The same action imposes levies on new goods, including carpets. About 70% of Canada's exports go to the United States, and tensions have been high since trade talks broke down in August, after which Trump imposed new tariffs. Steep U.S. tariffs on roughly $20 billion in Canadian goods remain. The Bank of Canada says steel exports have roughly halved and lumber exports were about 20% below 2024 levels earlier this year. Canadian consumer prices were 3% higher in August than a year earlier, with transportation up 7.5%.

Left-leaning outlets had not reported this story at the time of writing; only alternative/independent and right-leaning outlets had. Fox News, the right-leaning outlet, leads with the damage to Canada. It cites Bank of Canada and government figures on steel, lumber, grocery and transport prices, and about 6% higher prices on goods hit by Canada's retaliatory tariffs. It features Cato Institute economist Scott Lincicome and says the dispute has long roots. In the excerpt, it does not mention the exemptions or Collins, though a linked headline refers to a midterm state as the trade war's loser. The Hindu, the alternative outlet closest to the news itself, leads with the exemptions, the White House statement and Collins's role. Global Times offers a separate angle: a reported Chery move into Canada as an opening for deeper China-Canada trade ties.