Canada Drops Seafood Tariffs Amid Fears for Maine Lobster Industry

Canada has reversed its decision to impose tariffs on seafood imports from the US, avoiding a potential blow to Maine's lobster industry. The move comes after the Maine Lobstermen's Association expressed concern about the proposed 25% import tax, which could have severely disrupted the state's lobster markets during the fall fishing season.

The association had argued that the tariff would have caused unnecessary economic harm on both sides of the border and harmed the shared supply chain. Patrice McCarron, executive director of the Maine Lobstermen's Association, praised Canada's decision to listen to industry concerns and remove seafood from the tariffs.

Canadian Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson said the move was a targeted adjustment to protect Canada's economy. The US trade war with Canada has been a contentious issue, with Senator Angus King warning that nearly half of Maine lobster is processed in Canada and that the trade war could 'devastate' the industry.