PETERBOROUGH, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen is stepping up efforts to shield New Hampshire small businesses from the fallout of what she calls a “reckless” trade war triggered by the Trump administration’s tariffs on Canadian imports.

In a bipartisan move this week, Shaheen joined lawmakers from both parties in introducing the CANADA Act—legislation aimed at exempting U.S.-owned small businesses from tariffs on goods from Canada, New Hampshire’s largest trading partner.

“President Trump’s tariffs are increasing prices on everyday goods and making it harder for businesses and working families to get by,” said Shaheen in a news release. “Canada is New Hampshire’s northern neighbor and largest trading partner, meaning Granite State small businesses are especially hard hit by these blanket tariffs. By shielding small businesses from rising costs incurred by the President’s trade war, our legislation would give Main Street some much-needed relief and certainty to plan for the future and keep their businesses afloat.”

The bill, co-sponsored by senators including Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Chuck Schumer (D-NY), comes as small businesses across the U.S. grapple with disrupted supply chains, thinner margins, and rising costs tied to more than 60 tariff measures enacted by the Trump administration.

Shaheen’s advocacy has not been limited to Capitol Hill. In recent weeks, she’s been on the road, visiting affected businesses like NH Ball Bearings in Peterborough.

At NH Ball Bearings, which supplies parts for aerospace and defense systems, company leaders shared how tariffs have compounded already critical material shortages.

Despite contributing to national defense and supporting local jobs, companies like NH Ball Bearings are struggling with uncertainty and inflated costs, Shaheen said in a news release, adding that this trade war weakens the supply chains that support our defense industry.

Shaheen has also led 30 senators to to challenge the administration’s tariff policy in court. She previously introduced the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes on Imported Goods Act, which would limit presidential authority to impose broad tariffs without congressional oversight—a bill that was blocked by Senate Republicans.

In May, Shaheen traveled to Ottawa with a bipartisan group of senators to reaffirm ties with Canadian officials and business leaders, including Prime Minister Mark Carney. The delegation underscored the importance of a stable and mutually beneficial trading relationship between the U.S. and Canada.

In addition to her economic efforts, Shaheen toured the newly opened LaValley Family Community Center in Newport, constructed with nearly $4.8 million in federal funds she helped secure. The center, a hub for youth and wellness programs, highlights investing in community infrastructure.