Press Releases

Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, co-chair of the Senate American-Canadian Economy and Security (ACES) Caucus, and U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree, are calling on the Trump Administration to avoid a catastrophic trade war with Canada that would have huge and immediate impacts on Maine’s people and economy. In a letterto Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Ambassador Jamieson Greer, the U.S. Trade Representative, the Maine delegation request that the administration work collaboratively with Canada to address issues of shared concern and foster economic cooperation in order to avoid the potential for increased prices on groceries, gas and energy.

“For over 150 years, Canada has been a trusted friend and close ally of the United States. Our countries are deeply entwined and our economies are fully integrated. This is made all the more evident by the substantial volume of trade and investment between our nations. In 2023, the U.S. and Canada traded nearly $1 trillion in goods and services. Together, we share the largest bilateral trading relationship in the world, which supports 8 million U.S. jobs. Each day, nearly $2.6 billion worth of goods and services cross the U.S.-Canada border, including critical energy resources,” the Delegation wrote.

They continued in the letter, “Maine shares a special and interconnected relationship with Canada. According to the Maine International Trade Center, Maine and Canada exchanged over $6 billion in two-way trade last year. This trade propels manufacturing and production in the state, which in turn provides over 60,000 good-paying jobs – from the development of our high-quality products to their transportation. Further, Canada has supplied the oil that Maine people rely on to heat their homes on cold winter nights and the jet fuel and diesel that supports the Air National Guard Base in Bangor.”

“Given the deeply integrated nature of our economies, any tariffs on imports from Canada – and any retaliatory measures by Canada in response – may raise prices on gasoline, energy, groceries, and much more,” the Delegation concluded. “We acknowledge that targeted and strategic tariffs can be an important tool to address unfair trade practices. However, small businesses and families in Maine and across the country will be caught in the middle during a time when so many are struggling to put food on the table and keep the lights on. Ultimately, it is our hope that the Trump Administration is able to work collaboratively with Canada to address issues of shared concern and foster economic cooperation, rather than engage in a tit-for-tat trade war.”

The United States and Canada share the world’s longest international border, spanning 5,525 miles with 120 land ports-of-entry. The bilateral and international U.S.-Canada alliance is built upon shared interests in the areas of economic stability and trade, sustainability, energy and critical mineral supply chain, and national security. The two countries share a $1 trillion trade and investment relationship, supporting more than seven million jobs.

The full text of the letter can be found here and below.

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Dear Secretary Lutnick and Ambassador Greer: 

Over the years, we have been privileged to gain a unique view of the important economic partnership that the United States has with Canada from my border state of Maine. As you consider the implementation of tariffs on imports from Canada, we want to share our view of how these tariffs will impact families and business in Maine and across the country. 

For over 150 years, Canada has been a trusted friend and close ally of the United States. Our countries are deeply entwined and our economies are fully integrated. This is made all the more evident by the substantial volume of trade and investment between our nations. In 2023, the U.S. and Canada traded nearly $1 trillion in goods and services. Together, we share the largest bilateral trading relationship in the world, which supports 8 million U.S. jobs. Each day, nearly $2.6 billion worth of goods and services cross the U.S.-Canada border, including critical energy resources. 

Maine shares a special and interconnected relationship with Canada. According to the Maine International Trade Center, Maine and Canada exchanged over $6 billion in two-way trade last year. This trade propels manufacturing and production in the state, which in turn provides over 60,000 good-paying jobs – from the development of our high-quality products to their transportation. Further, Canada has supplied the oil that Maine people rely on to heat their homes on cold winter nights and the jet fuel and diesel that supports the Air National Guard Base in Bangor. 

Given the deeply integrated nature of our economies, any tariffs on imports from Canada – and any retaliatory measures by Canada in response – may raise prices on gasoline, energy, groceries, and much more. We acknowledge that targeted and strategic tariffs can be an important tool to address unfair trade practices. However, small businesses and families in Maine and across the country will be caught in the middle during a time when so many are struggling to put food on the table and keep the lights on. Ultimately, it is our hope that the Trump Administration is able to work collaboratively with Canada to address issues of shared concern and foster economic cooperation, rather than engage in a tit-for-tat trade war. 

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We stand willing and ready to work with you to ensure that the relationship between our countries continues to be mutually beneficial. 

Sincerely,

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