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Francis Chung/E&E News/Politico/AP
10 min ago
Some GOP senators slam proposed tariffs on Canada and are open to backing resolution to block them
From CNN’s Morgan Rimmer
Sen. Susan Collins and Thom Tillis converse on their way to a vote at the US Capitol on July 26, 2022.
Francis Chung/E&E News/Politico/AP
GOP Sen. Susan Collins slammed proposed tariffs on Canada, warning that they would be particularly harmful to Maine and dismissing the Trump administration’s argument that the levies would pressure Canada in the fight against fentanyl trafficking.
“Maine’s economy is very integrated with our Canadian neighbors, and everything from potatoes to lobster to blueberries that are produced in Maine are often processed in Canada,” Collins said.
“There are so many examples I can give you of how harmful these tariffs would be, and I also think that it makes no sense,” she said.
“Canada, according to the studies I’ve seen — only 1% of the fentanyl that comes into the United States comes in through Canada. Canada is not the problem.”
Collins also said that she intends to vote for a resolution aimed at blocking the tariffs against Canadian goods, though she noted that she wants to review it before she makes a final decision. The vote is expected tomorrow.
GOP Sen. Thom Tillis also said that he is considering backing the resolution, and Republican Sen. Rand Paul has signed on as a cosponsor.
“This may be one of those rare instances when I’m interested in what Rand’s interested in,” Tillis said.
“We need to fight battles with our foes first and then try to figure out any inequalities with our friends second,” he added.
Senators Susan Collins and Thom Tillis are considering voting for a resolution aimed at blocking the levies