US to remove some Canadian tariffs ahead of elections

The US announced plans to remove tariffs on certain Canadian products after an embattled Republican senator in Maine lobbied for the move, as the White House looks to bolster its candidates ahead of Nov. 3.

Waiving tariffs on some Canadian agricultural products could presage similar efforts in Michigan and New Hampshire, where Republican candidates facing uphill election fights have spoken out against tariffs on Canada.

The White House’s trade dispute has fueled inflation — with the president’s economic approval rating at all-time lows — and opened a diplomatic rift: Washington accused Ottawa of election interference after a minister said Canada would impose tariffs on “products that will target states in the US” to “put political pressure” on the White House.