The Winding Glass: Seafood Consumption in Crossfire as Global Tariff War Erupts

The biggest loser in the global tariff wars that have erupted in seafood will be American consumers, importers, processors and distributors.

This week Pres. Trump unilaterally imposed 25% tariffs on all Canadian seafood.  This covers almost all the snow crab, 55% of domestic live lobster, and about 50% of whole farmed Atlantic salmon consumed in the US.

In response to US pressure on Canada to follow its tariff war with China, the Canadians imposed higher tariffs on some Chinese products last fall...

Trump Pauses Tariffs on USMCA-Compliant Imports from Mexico, Canada Until April 2

President Donald Trump’s social media posts are shaping trade policy in real-time: The president announced that some of the previously enacted 25% tariffs on Mexican goods will be delayed until April 2.

“After speaking with President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico, I have agreed that Mexico will not be required to pay Tariffs on anything that falls under the USMCA Agreement. This Agreement is until April 2nd.”

An hour prior, Trump also posted about Canadian PM, Justin Trudeau on Truth Social...

US Seafood Targeted in Canada’s Proposed Retaliatory Tariff List

Canada wasted no time hitting back at new U.S. tariffs, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announcing immediate 25% retaliatory duties on C$30 billion ($20.9 billion) worth of American imports after the levies took effect on March 4.

“Canada is being needlessly and unfairly targeted by these tariffs – and the US' decision leaves us with no choice but to respond to protect Canadian interests, workers and businesses. Working with provincial, territorial and industry partners, our singular focus is to remove these tariffs as quickly as possible...

‘The Tariffs Are All Set’: Trump Imposes 25% Tariffs on Canada and Mexico

It’s official. The US will implement a broad 25% tariff on Canada and Mexico on March 4. Trump also noted that he would add another 10% tariff on Chinese goods, on top of the initial 10% tariff he placed on the country in February.

“No room left for Mexico or Canada (to make a deal),” Trump told reporters at the White House. “The tariffs are all set. They go into effect tomorrow.

Trump said the neighboring countries had no chance for a last-minute deal that would...

Trump Signs Memo to Advance Reciprocal Tariffs, Aims to Balance Trade

President Trump signed a memorandum that could lead to the implementation of reciprocal tariffs on the trading partners of the United States.

“The ‘Fair and Reciprocal Plan’ will seek to correct longstanding imbalances in international trade and ensure fairness across the board,” per a fact sheet from the White House. “Gone are the days of America being taken advantage of: this plan will put the American worker first, improve our competitiveness in every area of industry, reduce our trade deficit, and bolster our economic and national security...

Canadian Countermeasures on Trump’s Tariffs Extend Throughout the Maritimes

Participants in some of the most inclusive and far-reaching fisheries, forestry and agriculture roundtables are showing unprecedented unity and resolve as they collectively prepare a plan of action for potential US tariffs and establish a long-term vision for growth and development,” the government of Newfoundland and Labrador wrote in a news release on Monday, February 10, 2025. Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture in NL, hosted a series of roundtables with representatives from the province’s three renewable resource sectors...

US Becomes Largest Market for Norwegian Seafood Exports in January Amid Tariff Talks

The US was the largest market for Norwegian seafood exports in January 2025 on a value basis. The Norwegian Seafood Council said the country exported NOK 1.5 billion ($133.7 million), accounting for 9.7% of total exports.

“Even though President Donald Trump has talked a lot about increased tariffs for his trading partners, we note that January was a historic month for Norwegian seafood exports to the US. Never has Norway exported fish and shellfish worth as much to the US market as we did in January...

Atlantic Sapphire to Rent-Out Danish Facility; Feed Costs Impacted by Trump’s Tariffs

Land-based salmon farmer Atlantic Sapphire announced that it has entered into a short-term lease agreement with Maiken Foods AS to rent out its Danish facility.

Maiken will facilitate a pilot for its fish farming solution as its time as a tenant. During the lease period, Maiken will have a purchase option for the entity which will allow the company to create a large-scale land-based salmon farming operation.

In 2021, Atlantic Sapphire was hit with a major fire at its...

China Section 301: USTR Issues Update on Alaskan Sole, Crab Products

On Friday the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced a further extension of certain exclusions in the Section 301 Investigation of China’s Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation. The decision came just days before the exclusions were scheduled to expire on May 31, 2024.

The China tariffs were launched in 2018 and 2019 by then-President Donald Trump in an effort to stop the country’s unfair trade practices. As Seafoodnews reported at the time, the...

US Demand Helps Fuel Record Norwegian Seafood Exports in February

Norway experienced its highest export value for the month of February. While there were a multitude of factors at play, trade with the US was a key factor. A similar story was the case in January as the US was the largest market for Norwegian seafood on a value basis to start 2025, as Expana reported.

According to the council, the USA had the highest value growth in February, witnessing an export value increase of NOK 548 million ($50 million)...

Mexico’s Modest Role in US Seafood Trade: Limited Impact of a 25% Tariff

President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China took effect at midnight, prompting swift retaliation. China and Canada quickly imposed tariffs on U.S. products, while Mexico’s president announced that countermeasures would be detailed on Sunday, according to Expana.

The most significant tariff impacts for the U.S. seafood industry will stem from trade with China and Canada, while Mexico’s measures are unlikely to cause major disruptions.

Mexico is a relatively minor player in the U.S. seafood market, ranking only 10th among suppliers and accounting for just 3.32%...

Trade Tensions Ignite as Canada and China Hit Back at US Tariffs

Canada and China have announced retaliatory tariffs in response to new US tariffs that went into effect today, igniting trade tensions between the world’s largest economies. After a 30-day pause, the US administration imposed a broad 25% tariff on Canada and Mexico on March 4, Expana's Ryan Doyle reported.

One minute past midnight, the US administration imposed 25% tariffs on Canadian exports and 10% tariffs on Canadian energy. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the decision had “no justification” and emphasized Canada’s efforts to combat...

Congressman Urges Trump to Crack Down on Seafood Imports from China, India, and Others 

US Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) wrote a letter to President Trump requesting tariffs be placed on seafood imports from China, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam, some of the country’s largest trading partners.

“Domestic shrimpers, fishermen, and crawfish producers in Louisiana and across the country face significant challenges competing against foreign seafood industries that are heavily subsidized and engage in illegal dumping into the United States,” Congressman Higgins wrote. “These unrighteous trade practices artificially drive down prices, disrupt fair market conditions, and threaten...

Ecuador and Mexico Clash Over Shrimp Trade and Tariff Disputes

On Monday, February 3, Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa declared that Ecuador would be applying a 27% tariff on all Mexican goods in order to promote fair treatment of Ecuadorian companies.

At a press conference the following day, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum responded, saying that Mexican exports into Ecuador account for only 0.4% of Mexico’s overall foreign exports, implying that the proposed tariffs will not have a significant impact on the Central America country.

José Antonio Camposano, executive president of the National Chamber of Aquaculture of Ecuador, then replied via...

Nova Scotia Seafood Sector Embarks on Trade Mission to Europe Amid Stalled Tariffs

Recently, Nova Scotia Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Kent Smith led a trade mission to Europe, alongside a delegation of key stakeholders within the Atlantic Canadian seafood sector, in an effort to diversify the country’s seafood market, especially amid President Trump’s pending US import tariffs.

The delegation, comprised of six Nova Scotian seafood companies and eight Atlantic Canadian seafood companies, included participation by the following seafood leaders: Lobster Hub Inc., Louisbourg Seafoods Ltd., Victoria Co-Operative Fisheries Ltd., Tribune Seafood Inc., Gidney Fisheries Ltd...

Trump Slaps Tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China: Seafood Industry Braces for Impact, Latest Updates

After weeks of nonstop speculation, the White House confirmed that President Donald Trump would be implementing tariffs on various US trading partners, including Canada, Mexico and China.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reports on January 31 that Trump will implement 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico and a 10% duty on China starting on February 1.

NBC News reported that the details of how tariffs will be distributed remained unclear, but the plan will be available for public inspection on February 1. No comments were...