Tariffs Hit Maine Lobster Industry Hard in 2018

Photo courtesy of Hayley Griffin

The latest data from the Maine International Trade Center (MITC) reports that Maine’s lobster exports to China have plunged nearly 84% in the wake of the U.S.-China trade war. China retaliated with tariffs on a variety of seafood products in response to the Trump administration’s tariffs on Chinese goods last year. Maine had been on track to have a record year, with US$87 million worth of lobster exported through June 2018, more than double the $42 million worth shipped in 2017. In May, the U.S. announced a tariff increase on Chinese goods to begin in July. The Chinese government then responded by announcing it would raise tariffs on U.S. imports.