Maine towns worried

Residents in Maine’s frontier towns express worry that Trump’s tariffs have triggered a rupture in cross-border relationships built over decades.

“We’re worried they hate us”

Tariffs hit timber industry

Maine’s timber industry faces economic pain as tariffs on Canadian goods cause cost increases of 30 to 50 percent across the board.

Cross-border tourism drops

Canadian visits to Maine plunged 43 percent in the tariffs’ first year, depressing shop sales and tax revenue.

Logging operations shrink

Eight pulp and paper mills closed in Maine since 2012, and tariffs on trucks and logging equipment are sending prices up 30 to 50 percent.

Canada retaliates

Canada retaliated against US tariffs with 25-50 percent tariffs on US lumber, wood furniture, and more in September.

Maine companies affected

Maine-based companies, particularly hardwood producers, rely heavily on Canadian markets and face economic strain from trade war impacts.

Pleasant River Lumber expands

Pleasant River Lumber Company produces 110 million board feet of softwood lumber annually and aims to expand production despite tariffs.

Political tensions rise

Maine incumbent Susan Collins sought credit for tariff exemptions, while Democratic challenger Troy Jackson argued she enabled trade chaos.

Rebuilding trust

Experts estimate it will take years to rebuild trust between Mainers and Canadians after trade war disruptions.