Maine
Janet Mills welcomes suspension of tariffs on Canada but says chaos harms Maine's economy
Gov. Janet Mills welcomed news Thursday afternoon that President Donald Trump has suspended tariffs on many goods imported from Canada.
But Mills says the economic uncertainty caused by Trump’s on-again, off-again trade policy is already harming Maine residents and businesses. And it remained unclear Thursday evening whether certain Canadian exports that are important to Maine’s economy, such as gas and heating oil, are exempt under the new plan.
Trump reversed course less than 48 hours after his administration imposed 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico. The president announced that goods covered under an existing trade pact, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement or USMCA, will not be subject to tariffs at least until April 2.
“The president’s broad tariffs on our major trading partners will increase prices for Maine people and businesses and cause havoc to our economy,” Mills said in a statement on Thursday. “While today’s temporary tariff reprieves are welcome, they are creating significant economic uncertainty that is also damaging to our people, businesses, and our economy. I urge the president to stop his pursuit of these unnecessary tariffs and focus on fulfilling his campaign commitment to lower the prices of eggs, bread, heat, housing, and cars.”
The short-lived tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports rattled the financial markets and caused alarms on both sides of the border, including in Maine.
Mills and most members of Maine’s congressional delegation had strongly opposed the tariffs on Canada because the state’s economy is interwoven with its provincial neighbors. They predicted that tariffs on Canadian goods — combined with reciprocal tariffs from Canada on U.S.-made products — will only harm Maine consumers, households and businesses that operate on both sides of the border, such as those in the forest products and commercial fishing industries.
There were also growing concerns about the impact on tourism. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau drove that message home earlier this week when he predicted that some citizens of his country will opt not to visit Canadian vacation hotspots like Old Orchard Beach this year.
Canada is Maine’s largest trading partner, by far, accounting for more than $6 billion in cross-border trade last year. Maine imported more than $4.7 billion in Canadian goods last year and exported nearly $1.3 billion in products to Canada.
Maine is particularly reliant on Canada for gasoline and heating oil, which would have been subject to a 10% tariff under Trump’s original plan. More than 80% of the refined petroleum products consumed in Maine come from Canada.
But it was unclear immediately following Trump’s announcement whether Canadian petroleum products would still be subject to additional import levies despite the suspension on other tariffs.
The Associated Press reported that roughly 62% of imports from Canada would still face tariffs because they are not covered by the USMCA, according to a White House official who briefed reporters. The New York Times, meanwhile, reported that the White House official said Canadian oil was not typically covered by the earlier trade agreement and would, therefore, still be subject to a 10% tariff. Canadian power plants also sell electricity to parts of Maine and to the New England power grid.
Maine
Lawmakers advance bill to provide death benefits after two DOT workers killed on the job
Maine
Maine man accused of lighting bed on fire after fight with girlfriend
WISCASSET, Maine (WMTW) – A Maine man has been arrested after police say he intentionally set a bed on fire after a dispute with his girlfriend, while they were still in it.
Police responded Monday, March 9, to a report of a fire that had been intentionally set inside a home on Beechnut Hill Road, according to the Wiscasset Police Department.
Investigators say the homeowner, Terry Couture, 41, set the bed on fire following an argument while both he and his girlfriend were in it. Authorities said the fire was extinguished and no serious injuries were reported.
Couture was arrested and charged with attempted murder, arson, aggravated criminal mischief, and domestic violence criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon.
The investigation is ongoing.
Copyright 2026 WABI. All rights reserved.
Maine
Celebrate Maine Maple Weekend at Williams Family Farm
CLIFTON, Maine (WABI) – Maine Maple Sunday is less than two weeks away, and the Williams Family Farm in Clifton is gearing up for one of the sweetest seasons yet.
A long stretch of frost and snow meant a late start this year, but the first boil of sap has finally run through the evaporator, and maple season is officially underway.
At Williams Family Farm, everything is done by hand:
- Fresh maple syrup, bottled on-site
- Maple sugar, carefully extracted in small batches
- Baked candied pecans, cashews, and more
The Williams family has spent years working with whatever weather sends their way.
Long winters, surprise warmups, and everything in between—they’ve learned how to adapt so community members can enjoy their products.
As co-owner John Williams explains, the key is in the temperature.
“You need to have it warm during the day and still freezing at night, so typically that’s the middle of February,” said Williams. “We have a lot of trees, so we have to start tapping them before the conditions are ideal, so we start tapping way before it’s time for it to run just so we can get them all tapped. If you have ten trees in your backyard, you want to wait until roughly now, the middle of February to now, and when it’s actually running and put them in then because you can put all your taps in, in one day.”
They’re excited to welcome the community during Maine Maple Weekend on March 21 and 22.
They will be boiling up sap, hosting demonstrations, and providing free samples.
Locals can also join them for their third annual pancake breakfast where all proceeds are donated to Holbrook Recreation.
Follow the link to find out their hours for March and more.
Copyright 2026 WABI. All rights reserved.
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