Collins Says Nine Canadian Import Categories Get Tariff Relief

Republican Sen. Susan Collins said the Trump administration will exempt nine categories of Canadian imports used by Maine agricultural businesses from U.S. tariffs, including supplies for blueberry, potato, apple and seaweed producers. A White House document also described tariff changes, but the full scope and effective date of the exemptions have not been established in the announcement accounts. The categories Collins identified include corrugated paper or paperboard boxes, plastic boxes and crates, plastic packing bags, refrigeration equipment, machinery for cleaning or grading agricultural products, and filling, sealing, labeling, packing and wrapping machinery. The list also includes certain films and foils, as well as seaweed and algae products for human consumption. Collins said she secured the exemptions after repeated discussions with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and other administration officials. She said Maine farmers and growers depend on Canadian equipment and packaging that may be unavailable from U.S. suppliers or costly to replace. Her office said wild blueberry growers use Canadian harvesting boxes designed for...