U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, is leading a bipartisan push for a federal investigation into Canadian trade practices that may be putting domestic potato producers at a competitive disadvantage to their northern peers.
In a two-page letter to the U.S. International Trade Commission — an independent, nonpartisan, quasi-judicial federal agency — lawmakers are urging officials to examine trade conditions affecting the U.S. potato industry.
“Potato producers across the Upper Midwest, the Northeast and other potato-producing regions have long raised concerns about competitive disadvantages in the U.S. market that may be linked to Canadian federal or provincial policies,” the letter states.
“These concerns include the potential impact of government programs, freight or transportation advantages and other structural supports that may affect production costs or pricing behavior,” it goes on to say. “When combined with exchange rate dynamics, these factors may be contributing to market distortions that allow Canadian potatoes to be sold in the United States at prices U.S. growers struggle to match.”
The lawmakers also argue that antidumping duties improved by British Columbia on certain U.S. fresh potatoes don’t reflect real market conditions and may not be consistent with international law and trade agreements.
King and U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., are leading the call for a fact-finding probe into the situation, joined by 10 other lawmakers from both parties. Signatories include U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, who is running for reelection this year.
Lawmakers argue that Congress, the administration and the U.S. potato industry would benefit from a “clear, objective and comprehensive investigation” into trade flows, pricing, costs, government support and their combined impact on producers, processors and rural economies in potato-producing states.
Maine’s potato sector contributes $1.3 billion to the state’s economy and supports 6,500 jobs. according to a 2024 report from the University of Maine.
Some 90% of the potatoes are grown in Maine’s northernmost county, Aroostook, which borders Canada, and the state also hosts potato processing plants that make French fries and frozen prepared foods.
