MEDIA ADVISORY: Welch to Push for Vote on Bipartisan CANADA Act Ahead of August 1 Tariff Deadline

Jul 30, 2025
CANADA Act would exempt U.S.-owned small businesses from tariffs imposed on Canada
WASHINGTON, D.C.– Ahead of the August 1sttariff deadline,U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee,will push for a vote on his bipartisanCreating Access to Necessary American-Canadian Duty Adjustments (CANADA) Act, legislation to exempt United States-owned small businesses from tariffs imposed on Canada.
TheCANADA Actis led by Senator Welch and cosponsored by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). TheCANADA Actis supported by Main Street Alliance and Small Business Majority.
“These unnecessary tariffs on Canada have caused chaos and confusion for small businesses in Vermont and across America. The trade war threatens to tank our economy, especially if Trump doesn’t chicken out and back off his August 1stdeadline,”said Senator Welch ahead of his remarks tonight.“The bipartisanCANADA Actshould pass quickly and without objection from my colleagues across the aisle—this is a vote to support small businesses in their state, who can’t afford President Trump’s trade war with one of America’s closest allies and a top trading partner.”
In 2024 alone, trade with Canada accounted for35%of Vermont’s exports,67%of its imports, and56%of its total trade. One in four businesses in Vermont relies on trade with Canada. Vermont buys more goods from Canada than the next nine largest foreign markets combined. In 2023, Vermont exported$150 millionjust in food and agricultural products to Canada.
Vermont boasts nearly82,000small businesses, which represent99%of all businesses in the state, and employ over62%of Vermont’s overall workforce—higher than the national average. Small businesses in Vermont also employ a diverse workforce, with43.8%of small businesses in the state owned by women and6%owned by veterans.
What: Senator Welch will speak on the Senate Floor tonight at 6:00 p.m. ET and request unanimous consent to pass the CANADA Act.
When: 6:00 p.m. ET
Live via:C-SPAN
Questions:Media can direct questions to Aaron White:Aaron_White@welch.senate.gov; 202-960-0677
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