<p>Canada on Wednesday reversed some retaliatory tariffs it placed on the United States after receiving feedback from the seafood sector.</p>
<p>Canadian Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson announced the removal of seafood and fish sector products from a list of proposed tariffs. In a statement, Canada’s Department of Finance indicated that the adjustments were based on feedback to protect against broader economic harms.</p>
<p>This change means Maine’s lobster industry will no longer be subject to a 25% import fee. The decision follows a call held by Ottawa with Canadian stakeholders on Tuesday, during which stakeholders expressed concern about not being consulted regarding the tariffs targeting Maine’s seafood industry. They indicated that the tariffs could disrupt a multibillion-dollar trade system between Maine and Canadian businesses. Kris Vascotto, executive director of the Nova Scotia Seafood Alliance, stated that he felt “blindsided” by the news.</p>
<p>“We are strongly supportive of our federal government protecting our national and economic sovereignty in these trade discussions,” he told Politico. “It’s just unfortunate that we were not consulted and able to provide advice that might have helped the federal government make good decisions.”</p>
<p>Canada’s planned tariffs were set to take effect during the fall fishing season, a period when the country purchases approximately half of the Maine lobster. The proposed tariffs had drawn criticism from various politicians, including Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Angus King (I-ME), and Democratic Maine Senate nominee Troy Jackson.</p>
<p>Justin Maderia, co-head of New York-based seafood seller Lobster Boys, noted that Canadian officials did not recognize the close integration between U.S. fishing catches and Canadian food-processing plants when compiling the list of targeted products. Maderia estimated that 80% of U.S. lobsters caught in Maine are shipped to Canada for processing.</p>
<p>Ottawa’s reversal received positive feedback from stakeholders on Thursday.</p>
<p>“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. “We urge both governments to continue protecting the long-standing tariff-free trade in lobster that benefits fishermen, businesses, and coastal communities throughout North America.”</p>
<p>The situation began when President Donald Trump imposed new 50% tariffs on approximately $20 billion worth of Canadian imports on Saturday, prompting Ottawa to retaliate with matching tariffs.</p>
<p>After the adjustments to Canada’s tariff list were made on Wednesday evening, it now contains 629 items, reduced from the original 800-plus goods issued on Tuesday.</p>