Shaheen, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Exempt Small Businesses from Trump Tariffs on Canada

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a top member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, joined U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-VT), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Ed Markey (D-MA) in introducing the Creating Access to Necessary American-Canadian Duty Adjustments (CANADA) Act, bipartisan legislation that would exempt United States-owned small businesses from the sweeping tariffs imposed on Canadian products.

“President Trump's tariffs are increasing prices on everyday goods and making it harder for businesses and working families to get by,” said Senator Shaheen. “Canada is New Hampshire's northern neighbor and largest trading partner, meaning Granite State small businesses are especially hard hit by these blanket tariffs. By shielding small businesses from rising costs incurred by the President’s trade war, our legislation would give Main Street some much-needed relief and certainty to plan for the future and keep their businesses afloat.”

The Trump administration has made more than 60 different tariff announcements already this term. These tariffs have been difficult to navigate for small businesses across the United States—especially in New Hampshire, where Canada is the state’s largest trading partner. Tariffs lead to supply chain disruptions, increased costs of goods and materials, smaller profits and higher costs for consumers.

You can find the full bill text here.

Senator Shaheen is helping lead efforts in Congress to mitigate the harmful impacts of President Trump's tariffs. Last month, Shaheen led 30 Senators in filing an amicus brief in a key case, Oregon v. Department of Homeland Security, challenging the Trump Administration’s abuse of emergency powers to impose tariffs. In January, Shaheen introduced the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes on Imported Goods Act which would limit the president’s ability to leverage sweeping tariffs that increase costs for American consumers and families. Her effort to pass this bill by unanimous consent was blocked by Senate Republicans.

In recent months, Shaheen has traveled across the Granite State to discuss the impact of tariffs on New Hampshire’s tourism industry and to visit businesses impacted by President Trump’s trade war including Colby Footwear, Chatila’s Bakery, C&J, DCI Furniture, Mount Cabot Maple, American Calan Inc. and NH Ball Bearings. In May, Shaheen led U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Peter Welch (D-VT) on a bipartisan delegation visit to Ottawa, Canada where they met with Prime Minister Mark Carney, members of his cabinet, the Business Council of Canada and other leading Canadian companies and business groups to reaffirm the strong U.S.-Canada partnership and support for our bilateral relationship among Congress and the American people.

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