Canada tariffs eased by Trump before US midterms

President Donald Trump's administration lifted some tariffs on Canadian imports on Friday, two weeks before US midterm elections, while adding levies on other goods.

The White House said the tariff easing will apply to products including plywood sheets, some paper products, certain machinery and refrigeration equipment. It said new levies will apply to goods including carpets, certain valves and waste products.

The new measures are due to take effect on October 30.

Republican Senator Susan Collins, who faces a Democratic challenge in the US-Canada border state of Maine, said she had secured exemptions for products important to the state's agricultural industries, including blueberry, potato, apple and seaweed producers.

Democrats are targeting Collins's seat as they try to win control of Congress from Republicans in the November 3 midterms.

Trade tensions between the United States and Canada have been high since talks broke down in August. The United States and Canada are closely linked economically, with about 70 percent of Canadian exports going to the United States.

Previous Trump tariffs on autos, steel, aluminum and lumber have hit Canada. Canada has entered a technical recession this year after two consecutive quarters of economic contraction.