BS BULLETIN:
- Democrat Rep. Jared Golden is backing Trump as the U.S.-Canada tariff battle escalates.
- “If Canada thinks they’re better off without our goods, I wish them good luck,” Golden said.
- Canada is preparing retaliatory tariffs of up to 50% beginning Sept. 8.
Well, this probably wasn’t the bipartisan support Canada was hoping to see.
Democratic Rep. Jared Golden of Maine is standing behind President Donald Trump as the tariff showdown with America’s northern neighbor intensifies — and Golden’s district happens to encompass Maine’s entire northern border with Canada.
“If Canada thinks they’re better off without our goods, I wish them good luck,” Golden told the Portland Press Herald. “I suspect in the long run, it won’t go well for them.”
That’s coming from a Democrat.
Golden has repeatedly supported Trump’s aggressive tariff policies and apparently isn’t backing away now that the U.S.-Canada dispute has exploded into a full-fledged retaliation contest.
The Trump administration imposed 50% tariffs on more than $20 billion worth of Canadian goods after negotiations between Washington and Ottawa collapsed. Canada responded by announcing tariffs of up to 50% on roughly the same amount of American goods, scheduled to begin Sept. 8.
And Ottawa isn’t exactly hiding the political calculation. Canadian officials acknowledged that their retaliation was designed in part to put “political pressure” on particular American states. The targeted products include steel, aluminum, paper products, plywood and fish — including lobsters from Maine.
That makes Golden’s response particularly interesting. Maine could find itself smack in the middle of the fight. Its economy is deeply intertwined with Canada’s, particularly in forestry, pulp and paper products and other cross-border industries. Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins has criticized the tariffs, while Democratic Gov. Janet Mills called the confrontation “foolish.” Fellow Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree warned the tariffs would be a “disaster for our economy.”
Golden isn’t joining them. Trump, meanwhile, has accused Canada of taking advantage of the United States for decades. “Canada has been Ripping Off the U.S.A. for decades,” Trump wrote this week, accusing Ottawa of hammering American farmers with massive tariffs and protecting Canadian businesses from U.S. competition.
“I deal with many countries, and Canada is easily the most difficult and unreasonable,” Trump added. “They feel entitled, but they are not a State, and will be entitled no longer!”
The administration’s underlying case is that Canada has discriminated against American commerce. In July, for example, Trump specifically cited Canadian treatment of U.S. dairy products when invoking Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 to authorize additional duties.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney sees things very differently and has vowed to answer Trump’s tariffs “dollar for dollar.”
MY QUICK TAKE:
When the Democrat representing the district hugging the Canadian border looks north and essentially says, “Good luck with that,” perhaps Ottawa should pay attention.
The fascinating part isn’t merely that Golden agrees with Trump. It’s that Canada is openly trying to make the tariffs politically painful inside America — and Golden still isn’t blinking. Apparently “Orange Man Bad” finally met its match: Canadian trade policy.
DBS WIRE SOURCES:
- Mediaite — House Democrat backs Trump in Canada tariff brawl
- Portland Press Herald — Golden sticks with Trump in Canada tariff fight
- AP — Canada strikes back with retaliatory tariffs
- Reuters — Latest U.S.-Canada trade negotiations update
- White House — Trump’s proclamation addressing Canadian trade discrimination
