The Trump administration is considering lifting 50% tariffs on certain Canadian agricultural and forestry products, potentially easing trade tensions ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. An announcement could come as early as Friday, although the timing and scope of any changes remain uncertain. The administration could also offset the reductions by raising duties on other Canadian imports.

The potential move could benefit Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, who is seeking reelection in a state with extensive economic ties to Canada. Collins has pushed the administration to provide tariff relief for Maine businesses and consumers, while her Democratic challenger, Troy Jackson, has made President Donald Trump’s trade policies a campaign issue. Polls have shown the Senate race to be competitive.

A White House official said any announcement would come directly from the administration and dismissed reports of possible changes as speculation. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative declined to comment.

The 50% tariffs took effect in late August after trade negotiations between Washington and Ottawa broke down. They cover approximately $20 billion in Canadian goods, representing about 5% of Canada’s exports to the United States. Canada responded with retaliatory tariffs, while Trump has also restricted certain Canadian imports and threatened to double duties on Canadian vehicles in January if the countries fail to reach an agreement.

The administration modified the tariffs in September, exempting products such as road salt and cement while adding other goods to the list. Collins took credit for securing those exemptions during her reelection campaign. Jackson criticized the relief during a debate this month, arguing that the exemptions did little to help ordinary residents and saying, “They can’t eat road salt.”

Republican candidates in other competitive Senate races have also raised concerns about the trade dispute. In Michigan, former Rep. Mike Rogers, the Republican Senate nominee, has aired advertisements urging Trump to resolve the disagreement after previously supporting his tariff policies. Former Sen. John Sununu, the Republican challenging Democratic Sen. Chris Pappas in New Hampshire, has likewise spoken out against the Canadian tariffs.

The administration invoked Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, a provision associated with the Smoot-Hawley tariff law that had not previously been used to impose duties in this manner. A New Jersey-based food importer challenged the tariffs in court this week, arguing that the administration exceeded its legal authority.