Canada excludes US seafood from retaliatory tariffs

Canada removed seafood and fish products from a list ​of counter tariffs on US ‌imports on Wednesday, a day after announcing levies on about $20 billion worth of ​American products.

"Based on feedback, we have ⁠made select adjustments to ​protect against economic harms, including removing ​seafood and fish products from our list of counter tariffs," Canada's Department of ​Finance said in a ​post on X.

The move comes after some Canadian seafood processors reliant on US lobster imports warned that the tariffs could drive up operating expenses, while local lobster harvesters expressed concerns that the measure could trigger further trade retaliation from Washington.

Canada is matching Washington's latest duties ‌dollar ⁠for dollar after the US imposed new 50% tariffs on Canadian imports on Saturday.

The US did not specifically target the fish and seafood sectors.

"We are continually ​working with ​Canadian ⁠industries to assess the effectiveness of these measures, ​with a primary focus ​on ⁠industries that have been targeted by US tariffs," the statement said.

The ⁠Canadian ​tariffs will take ​effect from September 8. (With input from Reuters) (Cover: Commercial fishing vessels docked in Discovery Harbour in Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada, February 18, 2025. /VCG)