Canada excludes seafood from tariffs, sparing Maine’s lobster industry

Canada reversed course on proposed seafood tariffs, easing concern for the impact on Maine’s lobster industry, which was facing a 25% import tax.

“Keeping seafood tariff-free protects our shared supply chain and avoids unnecessary economic harm on both sides of the border,” said Patrice McCarron, executive director of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association, in a statement Thursday. 

The association raised concerns about the proposed tariff earlier in the week, and said it would have severely disrupted Maine’s lobster markets at the height of the fall fishing season, in an industry already operating on thin margins. 

“We appreciate Canada’s decision to listen to the concerns raised by the seafood industry and remove seafood from these tariffs,” McCarron said. “We urge both governments to continue protecting the longstanding tariff-free trade in lobster that benefits fishermen, businesses and coastal communities throughout North America.”

Late Wednesday, Canada’s Department of Finance announced the decision to remove seafood and fish products from the country’s list of counter tariffs. The agency said it is continually working with Canadian industries to assess the effectiveness of the tariffs, and made the change after receiving feedback. 

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In a statement, Canadian Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson said it was a targeted adjustment to protect Canada’s economy.

“The fish and seafood sector drives Canada’s coastal economy,” Thompson said. “We will be there to protect Canadian harvesters, and all who rely on the fishery.”

In a statement Tuesday, independent U.S. Sen. Angus King said nearly half of Maine lobster goes to Canada in the fall for processing and that the trade war could “devastate” the industry in Maine. 

“Maine people are not interested in personal, retaliatory politics,” King said. “They are focused on the high cost of goods here at home. The majority party must listen to the industry leaders here in Maine, put pressure on the President, and move forward with an economic policy that works for us and not against us.”

The latest trade disputes with Canada come as the state faces several key elections in November, including a contentious U.S. Senate race for Republican incumbent Susan Collins. 

Democratic candidate Troy Jackson was quick to place the blame on Collins, writing on social media that she failed to stop President Donald Trump from restarting the trade war.

“As always she’s got concerns about what these broad new tariffs will do to Maine, but she’s got no action,” Jackson said. 

Pointing to her multiple votes against Trump’s tariffs, Collins told Maine Public Wednesday that she spoke with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer the day prior and urged him to return to negotiations, stressing the need to make sure the tariffs are removed. 

“This is not China we are dealing with,” Collins said during a brief interview after an event in Kenduskeag. “It is Canada, our best friend, a country with whom our economy is completely intertwined and with whom we have so many families that are linked as well.”