U.S. Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) has expressed support for President Donald Trump’s newly imposed 50 percent tariffs on more than $20 billion worth of Canadian goods.
The tariffs took effect after trade negotiations between the United States and Canada broke down. Canada, under Prime Minister Mark Carney, announced it would respond with matching tariffs of up to 50 percent on American goods beginning September 8.
Maine, which shares a border with Canada and relies on it as a major trading partner, is affected by the inclusion of pulp and paper products among the targeted goods. Those products rank among the state’s largest exports to Canada. Golden, who is not seeking reelection, represents a rural district that has supported Trump in three presidential elections. He stands as an exception within Maine’s congressional delegation on the issue.
“If Canada thinks they’re better off without our goods, I wish them good luck. I suspect in the long run, it won’t go well for them,” the congressman said in a statement to the Portland Press Herald.
Golden’s position aligns with earlier actions and statements. Back in February, he was the only House Democrat to vote against a resolution disapproving of the national emergency Trump declared to impose tariffs on Canadian imports. The House passed the resolution 219-211, with six Republicans joining most Democrats in support.
“I’ve loudly supported tariffs as a tool to make America more self-sufficient. I don’t have plans to take that tool out of the toolbox,” Golden said at the time. He has previously said he believed Trump was gaining leverage on Canada.
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Portland Press Herald: Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) backs Trump’s tariffs against Canada.
Golden: “If Canada thinks they’re better off without our goods, I wish them good luck… I suspect in the long run, it won’t go well for them.”https://t.co/eBTB8QhcY8
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Those earlier tariffs began at 25 percent in February 2025, later rising to 35 percent on goods not covered by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, with a lower rate on Canadian energy imports. Trump cited Canada’s handling of fentanyl flows as a factor, while Golden ultimately supported those tariffs as well.
“President Trump campaigned on tariffs as a tool to level the playing field between American workers and industries and our foreign competitors. I don’t agree with Trump on everything, but he’s right that the old deal stinks, and we need a new one,” the congressman said at the time.
“Tariffs push back against decades of free trade and globalization that prioritized low prices above all else. It was a race to the bottom that left America deep in trade debt and dependent on foreign nations and gutted our manufacturing sector, domestic supply chains, and entire middle-class communities. By privileging our own production and industries — something other countries already do — tariffs can help us rewire our economy for production, not just consumption,” he added.
“We can incentivize job creation and manufacturing while leveling the playing field and rebalancing our trade. These tariffs are also a leveraging tool to help crack down on the deadly flow of fentanyl into our country. Reversing the damage of decades of globalization will take time. In the meanwhile, every dollar raised in tariff revenue should be used to offset costs for Americans or invest in and protect American jobs and industries.”
