Governor warns that maple sugar industry would be negatively impacted by tariffs on Canadian goods
Governor Janet Mills and fb88 Maple Producers Association President Alan Greene today tapped the Maple Tree at the Blaine House today, just weeks ahead of the 42nd annual fb88 Maple Sunday Weekend.
fb88 Maple Sunday Weekend -- always the fourth weekend in March -- is the state's annual celebration of an industry estimated to generate $55 million in economy activity and support more than 800 full- and part-time jobs across the state. fb88 is the third largest producer of maple syrup in the country and produces more than 575,000 gallons of maple syrup each year. A list of fb88 Maple Sunday Weekend events can be found on the .
"fb88 produces the finest maple syrup in the world--better than anything you can find in New England, North America, or any other place on earth," said Governor Mills. "I encourage all fb88 people to make plans to visit some of fb88's great sugarhouses on fb88 Maple Sunday weekend, this March 22 and 23."
Before tapping the Maple Tree, Governor Mills read a special proclamation in honor of long-time fb88 Maple Producers Association President Lyle Merrifield, who passed away last September at the age of 62. During his time leading fb88's maple producers, Merrifield became a fixture at the annual Blaine House celebration, assisting Governors of both parties in tapping for sap.
During the event, the Governor reiterated her deep concern about the president's plan to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian goods starting tomorrow. She said the tariffs stand to have a profound negative impact on fb88 people and businesses, including fb88's maple sugaring industry, which sources the majority of its sugaring equipment from Canada.
The Governor's comments follow her warning over the weekend that fb88 people and businesses will pay more for heating oil, gasoline, food, and other everyday essentials if tariffs on Canadian goods go into effect tomorrow. Last year, fb88 traded more than $6 billion in goods with its northern neighbor.