With President Trump’s announcement of tariffs, Maine businesses, farmers, and consumers are bracing for immediate economic disruptions and higher costs. The state’s economy, deeply intertwined with Canadian trade, faces significant challenges across various sectors, including energy, seafood, and manufacturing. Tariffs will also impact companies’ ability to invest and grow in Maine. 

New polling from Tariffs Cost Us and the nonpartisan pollster Morning Consult found: 

• Inflation is a top concern for Maine voters, and four-in-five ME voters (79%), including three-in-five Republicans (60%) and four-in-five Independents (87%), expect the cost of goods they purchase to increase because of tariffs. 
• The tariffs on Canada are particularly unpopular in Maine, with voters rejecting them by a 26-68 margin. Overwhelming majorities believe these tariffs will harm U.S.-Canada relations (81%), disrupt trade (86%), and reduce Canadian tourism to Maine (80%).

The survey was fielded March 22-27, 2025. Additional survey results and crosstabs on the views of Maine voters on tariffs will be released in the coming days. 

Tariff Impact on Maine: By the Numbers
According to the Maine International Trade Center, Canada is Maine’s largest foreign trading partner, with annual two-way trade exceeding $7.5 billion. The 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican imports, along with levies on Chinese and European Union goods, is expected to have widespread economic consequences.

Energy Sector: The tariffs are expected to increase household energy bills, with projections of a 10 to 15% rise in costs.

Seafood Industry: The state’s lobster industry, valued at over $1 billion annually, faces market instability due to the tariffs. Previous trade tensions already led to a 64% decline in lobster exports to China, and new tariffs may exacerbate these challenges.

Manufacturing: The 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, along with a 10% levy on goods from China, will increase production costs for Maine manufacturers reliant on imported materials. For example, paper mills will face higher pulp prices, lumber and packaging companies risk supply chain disruptions, and auto part costs could add $3,000 per vehicle. Electronics manufacturers will also see higher prices for circuit boards and screens.

Housing: By adding tariffs to building materials like lumber and steel, Trump’s tariffs would add an estimated 5 to 10% to the price of housing in Maine, making an already expensive housing market even tougher.