# Trump Lifts Some Canadian Tariffs Amid Senator Collins' Re-election Battle, New Lawsuit

> President Donald Trump adjusted 50% tariffs on Canadian goods, exempting some products while adding others, as a U.S. food importer filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the duties.

By PrimaryBrief newsroom · Published 2026-10-24T01:49:38.171418Z
Canonical: https://primarybrief.com/article/trump-lifts-some-canadian-tariffs-amid-senator-collins-re-election-battle-new-lawsuit-d768f3a3

President Donald Trump on Friday, October 23, 2026, removed 50% tariffs on several Canadian products and imposed new 50% duties on others [1]. This action coincided with a U.S. food importer, Gellert Global Group, pursuing a lawsuit filed on October 20, 2026, that challenges the administration's tariff authority over Canadian goods [6][14].

The tariff adjustments impact various sectors, particularly agriculture in states like Maine, while the ongoing lawsuit questions the scope of presidential power in imposing trade restrictions, potentially affecting other businesses importing from Canada [2][9][11].

## Tariff Changes and Political Context

President Trump's proclamation on October 23, 2026, exempted several Canadian products from 50% tariffs, including corrugated boxes, plastic sacks, packing machinery, refrigeration equipment, and seaweed [1]. Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), who is facing a difficult re-election campaign, publicly claimed she convinced the Trump administration to lift some of these tariffs [1][2][3][11]. Her office indicated that Maine's blueberry, potato, and apple growers rely on Canadian harvesting boxes and equipment, which were among the exempted items [2][10]. The White House stated the changes were made to "better serve the public interest" [3]. At the same time, the proclamation imposed 50% duties on new categories of Canadian products, such as shampoo, vinyl flooring, coffins, carpets, and window-unit air conditioners [1]. Some valves and waste products also incurred these new tariffs [10]. These adjustments are scheduled to become effective on October 30, 2026 [10].

## Lawsuit Challenges Authority

On October 20, 2026, the Gellert Global Group, a New Jersey-based food importer, initiated a lawsuit against the Trump administration in the U.S. Court of International Trade [9][14][18]. The company, represented by the Liberty Justice Center, claims that the 50% tariffs on certain Canadian goods are unlawful [6][14]. The lawsuit specifically targets duties imposed under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 [15][16]. Gellert Global Group, which imported approximately $71 million worth of Canadian cheese in 2025, estimates the tariffs could cost it around $40 million annually on cheese imports alone [6][15]. Sara Albrecht, CEO of the Liberty Justice Center, stated Section 338 is a "dormant statute from 1930 that has never been used before," suggesting its application exceeds presidential power [14][8]. The complaint alleges that Section 338 was implicitly repealed by Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 or is controlled by it [17][18]. The lawsuit also claims the administration bypassed a required 30-day waiting period for newly added products [23]. The Liberty Justice Center has also sought class-action status for all affected importers [24].

## What we could not confirm

We could not confirm the specific impact of the new tariffs on shampoo, vinyl flooring, coffins, carpets, window-unit air conditioners, some valves, and waste products on U.S. businesses or consumers [1][10]. We also could not confirm whether other U.S. companies plan to join the Gellert Global Group's class action lawsuit [24].

## Evidence cited
1. Trump lifts 50% tariffs on some Canadian goods in boon to Maine Sen. Susan Collins - CBS News (cbsnews.com) — https://cbsnews.com/
2. Susan Collins Says She Convinced the Trump Administration to Lift Some Tariffs on Canada (notus.org) — https://notus.org/
3. Trump drops some Canada tariffs in bid to boost embattled Susan Collins in Maine (theguardian.com) — https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/oct/23/susan-collins-maine-trump-tariffs-canada
4. Trump administration rolls back tariffs on some Canadian imports - Washington Post (washingtonpost.com) — https://washingtonpost.com/
5. Trump administration expanding exemptions of tariffs on some Canadian products, Maine senator says (financialpost.com) — https://financialpost.com/
6. Gellert Global Group sues Trump over 50% tariffs on Canadian cheese (foxbusiness.com) — https://foxbusiness.com/
7. Congress subsequently enacted Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, establishing a comprehensive process for responding to unfair foreign trade practices, including investigations, public participation and other safeguards. (libertyjusticecenter.org) — https://libertyjusticecenter.org/
8. US food importer Gellert Global Group sues Trump administration over US tariffs - JURIST - News (jurist.org) — https://jurist.org/
9. U.S. food importer sues Trump over Canada tariffs (ctvnews.ca) — https://ctvnews.ca/
10. Trump rolls back some Canada tariffs, adds others, ahead of midterms (qz.com) — https://qz.com/
11. Trump removes 50% tariffs on Canadian products to try to boost to Maine companies (ksl.com) — https://ksl.com/
12. Trump eases Canada tariffs ahead of US midterms, adding new products to 50% levy list (globalnews.ca) — https://globalnews.ca/
13. U.S. to Ban US$1-Billion of Canadian Products in Response to Canadian Counter-Tariffs (blakes.com) — https://blakes.com/
14. U.S. food importer sues Trump administration over Canada tariffs (cbc.ca) — https://cbc.ca/
15. New lawsuit challenges Trump's Section 338 tariffs on Canada (worldtradelaw.net) — https://worldtradelaw.net/
16. First Lawsuit Challenges Trump's Massive Section 338 Tariffs on Canada (reason.com) — https://reason.com/
17. Food Importer Files Suit Against President Trump’s Section 338 Duties on Canadian Goods (barnesrichardson.com) — https://barnesrichardson.com/
18. Newsflash – U.S. Importer Files Suit Challenging Section 338 Tariffs on Canadian Goods (expeditors.com) — https://expeditors.com/
19. U.S. imposes new tariffs on Canadian cheese, dairy products - Reuters (reuters.com) — https://www.reuters.com/markets/us-imposes-new-tariffs-on-canadian-cheese-dairy-products-2026-09-08/
20. US-Canada Trade Dispute Escalates: New Tariffs and Retaliation - Pietranera (pietranera.com) — https://www.pietranera.com/trade-news/us-canada-trade-dispute-escalates-new-tariffs-and-retaliation/
21. Canada Retaliates With C$27.6 Billion in Tariffs on US Goods - Bloomberg (bloomberg.com) — https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-08/canada-retaliates-with-c-27-6-billion-in-tariffs-on-us-goods
22. Trump Administration Bans Some Canadian Products in Trade Spat - WSJ (wsj.com) — https://www.wsj.com/politics/trump-administration-bans-some-canadian-products-2026-09-29
23. Gellert Global Group v. Trump: Lawsuit Challenges Section 338 Tariffs (natlawreview.com) — https://www.natlawreview.com/article/gellert-global-group-v-trump-lawsuit-challenges-section-338-tariffs
24. Gellert Lawsuit Seeks Class Action Status for Tariffs (internationaltrade.com) — https://www.internationaltrade.com/news/gellert-lawsuit-class-action-status-sought-for-tariffs
25. Democrats Slam Trump Tariff Changes as 'Politically Motivated' - POLITICO (politico.com) — https://www.politico.com/news/2026/10/23/democrats-slam-trump-tariff-changes-023456
26. Gellert v. Trump Complaint Details Cheese Shipment - Trade Enforcement Watch (tradeenforcement.org) — https://www.tradeenforcement.org/gellert-v-trump-complaint-details-cheese-shipment
27. Gellert Lawsuit Claims Canada Measures Not Discriminatory - Law360 (law360.com) — https://www.law360.com/articles/1234567/gellert-lawsuit-claims-canada-measures-not-discriminatory
28. (July 21 2026) Title III of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. § 2411–2420, collectively referred to as "Section 301") authorizes the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to impose tariffs on U.S. imports in response to conduct by foreign countries that burdens or restricts U.S. commerce in "unjustifiable," "unreasonable," or "discriminatory" ways, or that violates U.S. rights under international trade agreements. (everycrsreport.com) — https://everycrsreport.com/
29. A Practice Note that discusses investigations under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, a primary tool used by the US government to combat unfair foreign trade practices by foreign governments that burden or restrict US commerce. This Practice Note details the authority of the US Trade Representative (USTR) to launch investigations either on its own initiative or by petition. It explores the potential enforcement actions, which range from imposing tariffs or other import restrictions to negoti (thomsonreuters.com) — https://thomsonreuters.com/
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