+++ US-Zollpolitik +++: USA heben offenbar Zölle auf bestimmte kanadische Waren auf

The United States may be lifting tariffs of up to 50% on certain Canadian agricultural and forestry goods, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. The move is said to be aimed at supporting Republican politicians in northern U.S. states during upcoming midterm elections, reported the newspaper on Friday based on insiders.

The reductions could be balanced by raising duties on other Canadian products. A similar arrangement could be made the same day, it was further said. A White House representative told the newspaper that any announcements about tariffs would come directly from the government and any preliminary report would be speculation. However, Senator Susan Collins stated shortly after the report that nine product categories would be exempt from U.S. tariffs, including blueberries, potatoes, and apples.

Collins is seeking a sixth term in the more Democratic-leaning state of Maine. The economies of northern U.S. states like Michigan and Maine have long been intertwined with Canada. Republicans likely need to win these states in the November 3 elections to retain their majority in the U.S. Senate. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that Canada was working on a trade agreement with the U.S., but the two countries have been in a deadlock since the August failure of talks.

China and the U.S. agreed at their meeting that they would trade certain products without or with very low tariffs worth $30 billion. The Chinese news agency Xinhua said this on Saturday afternoon. What the products are was not initially known. U.S. Trade Representative Jamie Greer had already announced the agreement in an interview with CNBC on Friday, saying that possible details could be released as early as Monday.

He mentioned U.S. agricultural products and medical devices as well as Chinese consumer goods. Xinhua also said that the truce in the trade conflict had been extended, which currently includes temporary tariff reductions, as well as the export of rare earths. The duration was not specified by the Chinese side. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had initially discussed a two-month extension when Xi's trip to the U.S. began.

Multiple media reports suggested China hoped for an extension of one year or more. Both countries also want to set up an AI dialogue and an emergency channel for AI incidents to exchange risks and benefits. The next AI dialogue is scheduled for November. China and the U.S. also agreed to participate in the AI dialogue, as well as the G20 summit in Florida, which will take place in November.