China’s looming seafood tariffs just add to ‘craziness,’ says lobster organization [Video]

Nat Richard said he was stunned when he learned that China was hitting Canada’s seafood sector with 25 per cent tariffs.

The tariffs themselves were not very surprising — Canada had placed heavy levies against Chinese electric vehicles, steel and aluminum in the fall, and retaliation was expected.

But Richard, the executive director of the Lobster Processors Association, which has members across the Maritimes, said China’s decision simply adds to the disorientation already caused by the unpredictability in trade with the U.S.

“It just adds to the craziness we’ve been dealing with, the uncertainty,” he said in an interview. 

While U.S. President Donald Trump is postponing 25 per cent tariffs against most Canadian goods until April 2, China’s tariffs will come into effect March 20.

The seafood products China is targeting include crab, shrimp, prawn, clams and dozens more, according to a list from the Canadian government.

Lobster is also on …