U.S. Senators Propose Bill to Exempt Small Businesses from Canada Tariffs

U.S. Senators, led by Peter Welch and Jeanne Shaheen, are introducing the Creating Access to Necessary American-Canadian Duty Adjustments (CANADA) Act to exempt small U.S. businesses from tariffs imposed on Canadian goods by President Donald Trump's administration. The tariffs, which include a 25% tax on most Canadian products and an additional 10% on energy imports, are expected to rise to as high as 50% on some items, causing significant strain on small businesses and damaging the historically positive U.S.-Canada trade relationship. Senators from both parties, including Republicans Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, support the bill, emphasizing the importance of maintaining strong economic ties with Canada and alleviating cost burdens on small businesses. The legislation aims to protect small businesses that operate on thin margins and rely heavily on Canadian imports, which are vital for many U.S. states' economies. Lawmakers argue that the tariffs have created uncertainty that hampers long-term business planning and risks putting some companies out of business. The bill reflects bipartisan concern about the negative economic impact of the tariffs and seeks to restore cooperation with Canada while supporting Main Street businesses across the country.