Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) at a Meeting on Maine Vet Homelessness at Hanaford Hall, USM, Portland,  Several Years Ago.

Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and her Democratic colleagues on the House Agriculture Committee, urged Secretary of Commeerce Harold Lutnick to rein in the Trump administration’s disastrous trade policies, including its escalating trade wars with Canada and Mexico.  Pingree and her Democrat colleagues underscored the immediate and long-term impacts from President Trump’s chaoitic approach to tariffs — especially on American’s farmers, who are already reeling from the Administration’s illegal and unconsitutional freeze on federal funding.

Trade with our North American allies is vital for American farmers.  Over decades, the US has built an integrated agricultural system that relies upon Mexico and Canada, both as export markets and vital imports,” they wrote.  “This is not a system that can be upended overnight.  The on and off approach that the Administration has taken toward implementing and removing tariffs creates uncertainity for farmers, increases prices for consumers and leads to volatility in the marketplace.  None of these outcomes benefit farm country.”

On January 31, the Administration announced plans to implement a 25% tariff on all imports from Canada and Mexico, along with an additional 10% tariff on Canadian energy products.  Three days later, they agreed to a one-month delay — contingent upon the two countries taking specific actions related to border security,

The tariffs took effect on March 4th.  The following day the Administration announced exemptions for auto imports until April 2 as well as a reduced tariff for certain fertilizer products.  But, if the exempted tariffs eventually go into effect, farm groups warn that costs for both farmers and oonsumers are almost certain to rise.

“American farmers have fought hard for decades to gain access to foreign markets and they rely on partnerships wih our allies in North America to be successful and turn a  profit,’ the letter continues.  ‘The Adminisration’s current stance on trade policy is a bad deal for farmers and a bad deal for Americans.  We urge you to pursue trade negotiation through established channels and abandon the choatic approach to tariffs that the Administration has employed.”

For more background information on the trade wars and farmers, please visit post herein date March 4, 2025:  “Pingree Attends Trump’s Address with Brunswick’s Seth Kroeck, mamager of Crystal Spring Farm.”