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When I first learned that the U.S. was proposing to charge a 50% tariff on goods from Canada, my heart sank. Having spent my entire career in the construction industry, I understood how deeply this new tariff was going to hurt Mainers.
Cement is an essential ingredient for making concrete, and concrete is used in nearly every building project. Maine, like many northeast states, imports our cement from Canada. This isn’t by choice but by necessity. Had the 50% tariff gone into effect, it would have had a devastating impact; generating dramatic price increases on nearly all building projects, including housing projects, thus harming consumers and contractors alike.
I reached out to Sen. Susan Collins’ office to share how this tariff would impact us. I was told that Susan had already specifically discussed the tariff on cement when she spoke with the U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Collins also wrote a letter to Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick expressing the harmful impacts.
Because of Collins’ intervention, the White House announced that cement and road salt would be exempt from the tariffs going into effect. This is incredible news. Had the tariff gone into effect it would have cost our small concrete business about $150,000 every month.
Collins delivers for Maine. Her hard work and determination stopped this devastating tariff from harming Mainers and damaging our economy further. Susan is a champion for our state, and I believe we are fortunate to have her serving in the U.S. Senate.
Michael Thibodeau
Frankfort