State of Maine Archives: on Free Trade
Bruce Poliquin:
Promote trade and investment opportunities
Support Our Unique Maine Industries and Their Jobs:ACTION ITEMS:- Fight to remove unnecessary federal regulations and mandates
- Promote trade and investment opportunities
- Secure federal infrastructure projects.
For the health and freedom
of our 2nd District families, it is critical that government help, not hinder, our small businesses that employ our workers. Red tape and unnecessary paperwork from Washington smother our companies with higher costs that result in job losses.
Source: 2014 Maine House campaign website, PoliquinForCongress.com
Nov 4, 2014
Charlie Summers:
Free trade yes, but sanctions on Venezuela
Q: Do you support the United States imposing trade sanctions on Venezuela?A: Yes.
Q: Do you support the United States involvement in free trade agreements?
A: Yes.
Source: Maine Congressional Election 2008 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2008
Charlie Summers:
I support free trade, but protect shoe factories
Charlie Summers and Angus King both sought to stake out the high ground as the pro-jobs candidate.King visited shoe factories in Madison and Skowhegan and called for continued trade protection for New Balance Athletic Shoe. "There are more than 900
jobs at stake in Maine, and it would be a terrible blow to the region and the state if these jobs are lost," said the former governor, who is running as an independent.
Cynthia Dill, the Democratic nominee, joined in afterward by issuing her own
statement supporting fair trade protections for Maine workers. "There's no reason at this time to consider dropping tariffs against foreign products that compete unfairly against those produced in Maine," she said.
Summers also said New Balance and its
jobs need to be protected, & that trade agreements that affect other industries need to be revisited as well. "I'm very much a supporter of free trade," Summers said. "But with companies like New Balance, you have to make sure they are able to compete."
Source: Portland Press Herald on 2012 Maine Senate debate
Aug 15, 2012
Chris Lyons:
Support & expand free trade
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Support & expand free trade"?
A: support
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Maine Senate candidate
Mar 6, 2018
Cynthia Dill:
Keep tariffs against foreign products that compete unfairly
Charlie Summers and Angus King both sought to stake out the high ground as the pro-jobs candidate.King visited shoe factories in Madison and Skowhegan and called for continued trade protection for New Balance Athletic Shoe. "There are more than 900
jobs at stake in Maine, and it would be a terrible blow to the region and the state if these jobs are lost," said the former governor, who is running as an independent.
Cynthia Dill, the Democratic nominee, joined in afterward by issuing her own
statement supporting fair trade protections for Maine workers. "There's no reason at this time to consider dropping tariffs against foreign products that compete unfairly against those produced in Maine," she said.
Summers also said New Balance and its
jobs need to be protected, & that trade agreements that affect other industries need to be revisited as well. "I'm very much a supporter of free trade," Summers said. "But with companies like New Balance, you have to make sure they are able to compete."
Source: Portland Press Herald on 2012 Maine Senate debate
Aug 15, 2012
Eric Brakey:
I don't think tariffs are a good thing
Economy: Support President Trump's imposition of tariffs on Chinese steel & other products?Brakey: No. "I don't think tariffs are a good thing."
Would push for real free trade.
King: No. Could support tariffs on some imports, but not in the way Trump has done them.
Ringelstein: No position found.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Maine Senate race
Nov 1, 2018
Shenna Bellows:
NAFTA damaged our manufacturing sector; so will TPP
Fair Trade, Not Corporate Giveaways: Too many jobs have been shipped overseas in the last two decades. We have witnessed firsthand the damage wrought to our manufacturing sector by bad trade deals like NAFTA. That's why I oppose the Trans-Pacific
Partnership and fast-track authority for trade agreements. We are increasingly interconnected in a global economy. International trade is important to Maine's economy, but international trade agreements must be fair trade agreements--protecting workers'
rights at home and abroad, protecting the environment for future generations and protecting consumer safety.Some politicians like to think of the economy as just another issue. For me, the economy is every issue. Better economic policies in Washington
can make the difference when you pay your bills, start a family, & get the job you want. Investing in Maine's economy can make those things possible for every Mainer, and that's what I'm going to do from the first day I'm in Washington.
Source: 2014 Maine Senate campaign website BellowsForSenate.com
Aug 31, 2014
Susan Collins:
Some trade agreements have resulted in more tariffs
Both candidates gave lukewarm reviews to the North American Free Trade Agreement. Collins said trade agreements have created some jobs in Maine, such as an agreement with Chile for Maine potatoes at Burger King restaurants. But some trade agreements
have resulted in tariffs that have hurt other Maine agricultural and forest sectors, she said.
Allen said he is co-sponsoring legislation that would review existing trade agreements that have done a lot of damage to the U.S. economy.
Source: 2008 Maine Senate debate reported in Kennebec Journal
Sep 21, 2008
Susan Rice:
US beneficiary of free trade; don't cede leadership to China
The United States has been the biggest beneficiary of globalization, and free trade, and open markets. It has reinforced democratic rule in many places.
It's raised living standards, and the exports are a huge basis of our economy. We would be very remiss if we ceded the mantle of leadership on free trade and economic openness to China.
Source: CBS News on 2020 Maine Senate race
Jan 18, 2017
Tom Allen:
Review existing trade agreements that damaged US economy
Both candidates gave lukewarm reviews to the North American Free Trade Agreement. Collins said trade agreements have created some jobs in Maine, such as an agreement with Chile for Maine potatoes at Burger King restaurants. But some trade agreements
have resulted in tariffs that have hurt other Maine agricultural and forest sectors, she said.
Allen said he is co-sponsoring legislation that would review existing trade agreements that have done a lot of damage to the U.S. economy.
Source: 2008 Maine Senate debate in Kennebec (Me.) Journal
Sep 21, 2008
Zak Ringelstein:
Protect economy from harmful international trade agreements
Our plan to reignite Maine's economy includes: Massive location-specific federal investment in entrepreneurship, existing businesses, and new offices for established corporations; Comprehensive federal and state investment in infrastructure. Land grants
for new universities, technical schools, and community colleges; and, Protecting our economy from harmful international trade agreements. World-class business means that we will have more tax dollars and more good-paying jobs across the state.
Source: 2018 Me. Senate campaign website, RingelsteinForMaine.com
Jun 26, 2018
David Costello:
Strengthen trade and foreign policy agencies and agreements
David will support efforts to:- Strengthen trade and foreign policy agencies and agreements.
-
Boost our nation's overall global economic competitiveness.
Source: 2024 Maine Senate campaign website CostelloForSenate.com
Feb 27, 2024
Demi Kouzounas:
Bring jobs back by adding a little bit more tariffs
Economy Decrease or increase government investment in, and regulation of, the economy?Demi Kouzounas (R): Mostly decrease. Wants to bring jobs back by adding "a little bit more tariffs." Would remove some "red tape" to
boost housing construction. Says Biden keeps "throwing money into the economy" and "is creating more inflation."
Angus King (I): Increase. Voted for the 2023 infrastructure bill. Authored a bill helping small businesses weather COVID.
Source: Guides.vote candidate survey on 2024 Maine Senate race
Sep 9, 2024
Janet Mills:
Urge the president to stop these unnecessary tariffs
The president's broad tariffs on our major trading partners will increase prices for Maine people and businesses and cause havoc to our economy. 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.
Source: Governor press release "Tariffs" on 2026 Maine Governor race
Mar 6, 2025
Janet Mills:
Broad tariffs increase prices, cause havoc to economy
[On tariffs on Canada]: "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. "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."
Source: Maine Public (NPR), "Tariffs," on 2026 Maine Senate race
Mar 6, 2025
Shenna Bellows:
Tariffs on Canada will increase cost of Maine license plates
Maine's new pine tree license plates could have an added expense, as tariffs on Canadian imports took effect. "If there are tariffs on the license plates, that's going to increase the cost to taxpayers," said Maine Secretary of State
Shenna Bellows. "Similarly, if there are tariffs on aluminum, that is going to increase the cost to taxpayers because every single one of these plates is aluminum."
Source: WMTW (ABC-8), "Canada," on 2026 Maine Gubernatorial race
Mar 4, 2025
Susan Collins:
Voted with Democrats to undo tariffs on Canadian goods
Maine Sen. Susan Collins joined three other Republicans in voting to support a resolution that aimed to undo the Trump administration's tariffs on
Canadian goods. "The price hikes that will happen for Maine families every time they go to the grocery store, they fill their gas tank, they fill their heating oil tank . . . will be so harmful," Collins said in a floor speech.
Source: Maine Public Radio (NPR) on 2026 Maine Senate race
Apr 3, 2025
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026