Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) backed President Trump’s new 50% tariffs on Canadian imports, saying the intensifying trade war would not go well for 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,” he added.

Portland Press Herald shared further:

The Trump administration imposed 50% tariffs over the weekend on more than $20 billion worth of Canadian goods after trade negotiations between the historic allies broke down. Canada, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, responded Tuesday by saying it will match the tariffs “dollar for dollar” by imposing rates of up to 50% on American goods starting Sept. 8.

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Maine is on the front line of the renewed trade battle, especially given the inclusion of pulp and paper products that are among the Pine Tree State’s biggest exports to Canada.

Golden, the 2nd District Democrat who is not seeking reelection this year to the rural district that has thrice backed Trump, has previously supported Trump’s tariff actions, making him an exception among Maine’s congressional delegation. His comments Tuesday that stand with Trump in the trade battle with Canada show he has no plans to change his position.

“Canada has been ripping off the United States of America for years. Their ridiculously high tariffs on our Farmers and farm products has made life impossible for these great American Patriots, and has long created a 60 Billion Dollar Deficit between our two Countries. Not sustainable, and NOT ANYMORE!” Trump said on Monday.

“On January First, 2027, Tariffs on all Cars, Trucks, both large and small, Automotive Parts, and Steel, will be increased to 50%. Build in the U.S. and there are ZERO TARIFFS. Canada will be treated like a State no longer! On Trade, and in other ways, also, they are among the worst Nations in the World to deal with,” he continued.

“They feel entitled, and yet, WE DON’T NEED CANADA, THEY NEED US! They do 95% of their business with the U.S., with us, the exact opposite!” he added.

“THEY NEED US” – President Trump Announces Tariff Increases On Canada

The Hill has more:

He was the lone House Democrat to vote against a resolution to repeal Trump’s tariffs on Canada, where six House Republicans joined Democrats in a 219-211 vote.

Some strategists have warned that the tariff war and its economic impact on Americans could cause problems for Republicans ahead of the midterms as the party scrambles to solidify its affordability messaging amid dwindling trust from voters.

“It really undermines our messaging when we’re trying to address affordability and we’re already having to deal with the price of oil due to the war in Iran,” Republican strategist Jason Cabel Roe told The Hill. “But that affordability debate only gets more complicated when we’re in a trade war with our largest trading partner, who happens to share a border with us.”

Other Maine politicians have pushed back on the tariffs over concerns about their trade impact. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who is facing a competitive reelection race in November, called the latest tariffs “a mistake,” citing a “beneficial” trade relationship between the Republican’s home state and Canada.

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