GOP Sen. Susan Collins, who is in a hotly contested reelection race in Maine, is calling on the Trump administration to cut a trade deal with Canada.
She wrote in a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, warning that a trade war is disastrous for her state.
“I urge the administration to resume negotiations with Canada and to reach a fair trade agreement that prevents these damaging tariffs from taking effect,” Ms. Collins wrote. “The consequences of Canada’s retaliatory tariffs are severe for Maine businesses.”
Ms. Collins has held the Senate seat since 1997. She is currently the only Republican senator seeking reelection in a state President Trump lost in 2024.
Trade negotiations between the U.S. and Canada collapsed, prompting Mr. Trump to slap 50% tariffs on billions of dollars worth of Canadian goods.
Canada is set to impose retaliatory tariffs that take effect Sept. 8.
In the letter, Ms. Collins argued Maine’s economy relies heavily on trade with Canada.
“I urge you to consider that more than 50% of Maine’s lobster is processed in Canada,” she wrote. “Maine’s economy is uniquely intertwined with Canada, and the consequences of an escalating trade dispute will be felt by American families.”
Ms. Collins is up against Democrat Troy Jackson in November. The race is considered a toss-up, with recent polls showing Mr. Jackson with a thin lead.
Ms. Collins is not the only Republican Senate candidate splitting with Mr. Trump over the tariffs.
John Sununu, a Trump-endorsed candidate seeking the Republican nomination in New Hampshire, recently called for a change of course in the tariff showdown.
“We shouldn’t be in a trade war with Canada,” Mr. Sununu said on WKBK radio. “I would encourage the administration [to] work this out. Canada is an ally. They’re an important trading partner, fairly important to travel and tourism in New Hampshire.”
He is also in a tough race in a Democrat-leaning state.
The trade war is also an issue in the toss-up U.S. Senate race in Michigan between Republican Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed.
Mr. El-Sayed has leaned into the issue, saying the tariffs will be costly for Michigan and accusing his opponent of not being willing to oppose them.
The Rogers campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
