Canadian Tariff on U.S. Seafood Removed

On Tuesday, August 25, Canada announced that it would impose retaliatory tariffs on more than 700 U.S. goods in response to U.S. tariffs instituted on August 24. U.S. seafood would be under a 25% tariff on September 8. 

Following immediate feedback from the Canadian seafood sector, the Canadian Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson announced on Wednesday, August 26, that the Canadian government has made “targeted adjustments” and removed the U.S. seafood and fish sector products from tariffs.

The Maine Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) welcomed Canada’s decision, saying the move provides relief to Maine lobstermen and communities that depend on the lobster industry.

“A 25% tariff on American lobster would have severely disrupted one of Maine lobster’s most important markets at the height of our fall fishing season, putting downward pressure on the price paid to lobstermen and threatening an industry already operating on razor-thin margins,” the MLA said in a statement.

 “Keeping seafood tariff-free protects our shared supply chain and avoids unnecessary economic harm on both sides of the border,” said Patrice McCarron, MLA executive director. “We appreciate Canada’s decision to listen to the concerns raised by the seafood industry and remove seafood from these tariffs. We urge both governments to continue protecting the longstanding tariff-free trade in lobster that benefits fishermen, businesses and coastal communities throughout North America.”