Maine Lobstermen’s Association fears becoming ‘collateral damage’ in Canada tariff war

The Maine Lobstermen’s Association said Wednesday the escalating tariff battle between the U.S. and Canada threatens to make “collateral damage” out of the industry.

Canada announced earlier this week it would respond to new tariffs by the Trump administration by imposing a 25 percent tariff on American lobster.

Maine’s and Canada’s lobster industries are intertwined, with many processing facilities located on either side of the border.

According to the association, Canada purchases roughly half of Maine’s lobster during the fall fishing season.

“A 25% tariff could disrupt that market overnight, putting significant downward pressure on the price paid to lobstermen. The impact would be felt immediately on Maine’s docks. Lobstermen are already facing historically high operating costs, an increasingly difficult business environment, and razor-thin margins. If prices fall far enough, many simply will not be able to afford to fish,” the association said in a press release Wednesday.

“Maine lobstermen should not become collateral damage in a broader trade dispute. Losing access to such an important market at the height of our fall season could be devastating to fishermen and coastal communities,” Patrice McCarron, the group’s executive director, said in the release .

Maine officials have been critical of the new tariffs.

Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) noted that lobsters are often shipped back and forth between Maine and Canada at different points during processing, meaning they could get taxed twice.

“Almost half of the Maine lobster catch goes to Canada for processing which means that they will be tariffed on their way from the United States to Canada which could cut off the Canadian market with devastating consequences. And if the President’s misguided trade war further escalates, the processed lobsters could be taxed again when they are shipped back from Canada to the United States,” he said in a Tuesday statement .

“If the President doesn’t relent, this hammer blow to hardworking Maine people would devastate the Maine lobster industry and leave many of these hardworking people literally high and dry. … Maine people are not interested in personal, retaliatory politics.”

The Canadian tariffs come after President Trump announced a 50 percent tariff on $27.6 billion worth of Canadian goods. Canada will impose tariffs of 25 percent on U.S. goods of the same dollar amount, slated to go into effect Sept. 8.

The statement from the Maine Lobstermen’s Association noted that the Trump administration had previously pledged to aid the commercial fishing industry, which includes the lobster fishery.

“The Administration has pledged to strengthen America’s commercial fishing industry and keep U.S. seafood competitive. Protecting access to one of Maine lobster’s most important markets is essential to fulfilling that commitment,” the group said in its Wednesday statement.