US Democrats link midterm elections to pressure on Trump's tariffs against Canada
In the United States, representatives of the Democratic Party believe that a successful performance by the party in the midterm elections in November could increase pressure on President Donald Trump over his tariff policy toward Canada. Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego said that such a result could demonstrate to the White House and Republicans that Americans reject tariffs against a close ally.
CBC News reports. Gallego called the tariffs an additional tax on Canadian goods that, in his view, is unnecessary. He also expressed concern about aerospace manufacturing in Arizona, which depends on Canadian steel and aluminum that are currently subject to duties.
Congressional powers
Republicans currently control the White House and both chambers of Congress. Maine Governor Janet Mills said that a Democratic victory in the House of Representatives and the Senate could complicate the implementation of the president's tariff policy, as Congress could reclaim its powers in the area of taxation and tariffs.
At the same time, Trump introduced the latest wave of tariffs under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, also known as the Smoot-Hawley Act. This provision allows the president to impose duties if another country discriminates against US trade compared with other states. According to CBC, unlike some other trade instruments, this mechanism does not provide for a system of checks and balances. Last month, some members of Congress introduced a bill to fully repeal Section 338.
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New restrictions and Canada's response
Trump said that starting September 29, the United States will ban imports of Canadian alcohol, motorcycles and a number of other goods. He also intends to impose 50% tariffs on other goods this week. Separately, the president said that he instructed the US General Services Administration to remove Canadian-origin goods from the Multiple Award Schedules lists.
Canada, for its part, is maintaining counter-tariffs on US goods worth $27.6 billion that took effect this week. Duty rates range from 15% to 50%, with the highest rates applied to goods in sectors targeted by the United States, including the steel, dairy and woodworking industries.
Trump told reporters in Ireland on Saturday that a trade deal with Canada could be reached fairly soon, and again accused Canada of discriminating against American dairy farmers. Gallego and Mills stressed the need for serious negotiations, while the Maine governor acknowledged that Canadian counter-tariffs also harm the US economy.
