US lawmakers criticise Trump tariffs after Canada trade talks collapse

Washington: A group of US lawmakers has warned that the collapse of trade negotiations with Canada and the imposition of 50 per cent tariffs will raise prices, disrupt cross-border businesses and deepen uncertainty in one of America’s most important economic relationships. The new US tariffs on a range of Canadian products took effect on Saturday after negotiations failed to produce an agreement. Canada has announced that it will retaliate with matching duties.

Republican Senator Susan Collins said the “on-again, off-again” negotiations were creating higher costs, risk and uncertainty for businesses in her home state of Maine.

“If the Administration proceeds with these tariffs, they will increase costs for Maine families, as most businesses will have no choice but to pass on the tariffs to their customers through higher prices,” Collins said. Maine imports approximately $2 billion in non-petroleum products from Canada annually, she said, adding that farmers, lobstermen and other businesses were concerned about supply-chain shortages and possible Canadian retaliation.

Collins urged Washington and Ottawa to return to the negotiating table and reach what she described as a fair agreement. Democratic Senator Peter Welch, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, said the tariffs amounted to a “slap in the face” to businesses and farmers in Vermont and other northern border states. 

Welch said commercial relationships built over several decades were being placed in jeopardy and urged President Donald Trump to find an “off-ramp” from the trade confrontation. He also called on Republican lawmakers to reclaim Congress’ constitutional authority over tariffs, arguing that the legislature had surrendered too much power over trade policy to the executive branch. (IANS)

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