Canada’s Minister of Fisheries is set to visit China before a tariff deadline that could impact the lobster and crab industries. China had previously paused a 25% tariff on Canadian lobster and crab until the year’s end, but it is uncertain if this suspension will be extended. Minister Joanne Thompson’s office confirmed her upcoming trip to China to address this issue and enhance trade relationships, market access for Canadian seafood, and support for the industry. The tariffs affect approximately 80% of Canadian seafood exports to China and were imposed in response to tariffs on Chinese goods by Ottawa in 2025. Crab and lobster constitute a significant portion of Canada’s seafood exports to China, with $1.3 billion in Canadian seafood exports to China in 2024. Ensuring stable market access is crucial for the success of Canada’s seafood industry, according to Thompson’s spokesperson. The minister is expected to announce further developments in Moncton, N.B., in collaboration with Atlantic Canadian counterparts. In a previous agreement with China, tariffs on canola seed were reduced, and tariffs on seafood and certain agricultural products were suspended, in exchange for Canada permitting the import of 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles annually at a reduced tariff rate. Canada exported $8.5 billion in fish and seafood to 114 countries in the previous year.
