Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins joined Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) and a bipartisan group of six of her Senate colleagues in introducing the Creating Access to Necessary American-Canadian Duty Adjustments (CANADA) Act. This legislation would exempt United States-owned small businesses from tariffs imposed on Canada.
Ongoing changes to tariff levels and uncertainty about future trade policy have been difficult to navigate for small businesses across the United States—including in Maine, where Canada is the state’s largest trading partner. Tariffs lead to supply chain disruptions, increased costs of goods and materials, smaller profits and higher costs for consumers.
“Imposing tariffs on Canada, Maine’s closest trading partner, threatens jobs, drives up costs, and hurts small businesses that have long relied on cross-border cooperation and exchange,” said Senator Collins. “This bipartisan legislation would shield small businesses throughout the country from unnecessary economic harm while preserving the vital trade ties that support so many Maine communities.”
In addition to Senators Collins and Welch, this legislation was cosponsored by Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
The CANADA Act is supported by Main Street Alliance and Small Business Majority.
The complete text of the bill can be read here.
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