Welch recently announced bicameral BAD DEAL Act, a bill to repeal and refund tariffs on Canada

JAY, VT — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, today brought together Vermont small businesses, agricultural producers, and community leaders near the U.S.-Canada border to push back on President Trump’s reckless trade war against Canada, which is hurting the economy of Vermont and northern border states. 

“Nobody wins a trade war. President Trump is on an economic rampage, and his policies are destructive on both sides of the border. This is going to do great harm to Americans and Canadians alike. President Trump must listen to our businesses, farmers, and manufacturers—they’re going to be hurt by his trade policies and need him to drop these reckless tariffs on our neighbor and long-standing ally,” said Senator Welch ahead of the event. 

The event was hosted at Jay Peak Resort and included voices of Vermont industry leaders impacted by the trade war with Canada, including manufacturers, business owners, tourism and hospitality leaders, brewers, maple producers, and cheesemakers. 

The Senator was joined by Steve Wright of Jay Peak Resort, which hosted the event, in addition to Mateo Kehler of Jasper Hill Farm; Allison Hope of the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers’ Association; Abby Long of the Northeast Kingdom Collaborative; Bob Montgomery of Hill Farmstead Brewing; Kara Soulia of the Vermont Country Store; Mike Desmarais of TRACK, Inc.; Vermont State Representative Michael Marcotte (R-Orleans-Lamoille); and Tim Egan, Vice President of the New England-Canada Business Council. Jay is about five miles south of the U.S.-Canada border. 

Senator Welch  recently partnered with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), a member of the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee, in introducing the Banning Antiquated Duties and Delivering Equitable American Levies (BAD DEAL) Act to repeal Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, and refund all duties paid under this authority. President Trump has implemented the 50% tariffs on Canada under Section 338. 

Senator Welch also cosponsors the bipartisan Trade Review Act, which seeks to restore Congress’ constitutional role in trade policy. The Senator also led the Creating Access to Necessary American-Canadian Duty Adjustments (CANADA) Act, legislation that would exempt United States-owned small businesses from tariffs imposed on Canada under IEEPA authorities. 

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