Published 54 minutes ago • loading... • Updated 3 hours ago
Champagne defends reversal on seafood tariffs against U.S.
Champagne said Ottawa removed the seafood duties after hearing concerns from Canadians, and the Finance Department said the move would avoid broader economic harms.
On Wednesday, the federal government reversed its decision to impose retaliatory tariffs on United States seafood imports, removing them from a list scheduled for Sept. 8. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne defended the reversal during a Thursday news conference in Toronto.
Introduced only on Tuesday, the sweeping tariffs were designed to hit the United States seafood sector amid an ongoing trade war. Both Canada and the United States remain each other's top destination for lobster exports, making the sector deeply integrated.
The Maine Lobstermen Association warned the tariffs would be "devastating" for its industry and coastal communities. After receiving significant negative feedback from Canadians concerned about the countermeasures, Ottawa removed the duties.
Champagne argued the government "listened to Canadians," calling the removal "the right thing to do in the interest of Canada." The minister emphasized his mandate to "fight for Canadian business" and fishers.
The Finance Department pulled the measures to "protect against broader economic harms" following the concerns raised. This rapid reversal reflects the government's response to feedback regarding the retaliatory trade list taking effect this Sept.