President Donald Trump reportedly received rare support from across the aisle in his escalating trade battle with Canada, as retiring Democratic Maine Rep. Jared Golden warned America’s northern neighbor that it is unlikely to prevail.
Golden, whose district shares a border with Canada, has previously supported some of Trump’s hardline trade policies. He argued that Canada would ultimately suffer if it attempted to move forward without American products.
“If Canada thinks they’re better off without our goods, I wish them good luck,” Golden told the Portland Press Herald. “I suspect in the long run, it won’t go well for them.”
The retiring lawmaker represents Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, which supported Trump in each of the past three presidential elections. Golden was also the only House Democrat to back Trump’s tariffs against Canada earlier this year.
Trump imposed a 50% tariff late last week on $20 billion in Canadian products, including beer, cheese and electronics. The move came after trade negotiations between the United States and Canada collapsed.
Canadian officials responded Tuesday by unveiling plans to match Trump’s tariffs dollar for dollar beginning Sept. 8. The retaliatory measures include tariffs ranging from 15% to 50% on approximately 700 categories of American goods.
The Trump administration has pledged to respond if Canada’s countermeasures officially take effect.
Canada is the United States’ largest trading partner, although that commerce represents a significantly greater share of the Canadian economy than it does the American economy.
Golden is among a small group of House Democrats representing swing districts. He decided against seeking another term, citing threats directed at his family.
Earlier this year, Golden defended tariffs after the Supreme Court struck down Trump’s tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
“America’s broken trade order decimated domestic manufacturing and Maine’s heritage industries, all to uphold a system where we consume far more than we produce,” Golden said at the time.
“Tariffs remain a proven tool to restore balance and tilt the scales back in favor of American manufacturing.”
Most members of Maine’s congressional delegation have opposed the trade dispute. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, warned that the conflict could cause serious problems for the state’s lobster industry.
Trump, meanwhile, blasted Canada in a Truth Social post Tuesday, calling the country “easily the most difficult and unreasonable” of the governments involved in his trade disputes.
“They feel entitled, but they are not a State, and will be entitled no longer!” Trump wrote.
The president escalated his criticism Thursday by signing an executive order renaming Lake Ontario “Lake America.” The lake is located between upstate New York and Canada.
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