Augusta, Maine — Donald Trump has once again escalated his trade war with Canada, imposing 50% tariffs on billions of dollars in Canadian goods. For Maine families, workers, farmers, and businesses that depend on a strong economic relationship with our closest trading partner, this latest move will raise costs and cause more economic pain.

Despite the consequences, Bobby Charles has repeatedly embraced Trump’s tariff agenda.

In a podcast interview last year, Charles said (26:58) “I think what Trump is doing on tariffs is exactly right.”

He continued to defend Trump’s trade policies months later. In February, Charles praised the president’s tariffs as “masterful,” once again backing a policy that included tariffs on Canadian goods. And when the courts ruled against Trump’s tariffs, Charles didn’t reconsider his position. He instead attacked the ruling, claiming that “the U.S. Supreme Court got it wrong.”

The consequences of Trump’s tariffs have been real for Maine. Maine exports to Canada dropped nearly 20%.

Statement from Maine Democratic Party Spokesperson Lauryn Fanguen:

“Bobby Charles has spent years defending Donald Trump’s tariffs, and Mainers have already felt the damage of those policies. Now, Trump is once again imposing tariffs that threaten Maine families, workers, and businesses with higher costs and more economic uncertainty. Bobby Charles has made clear where he stands, and it’s not with us.”