Press Releases

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) has signed on as an original cosponsor of legislation that Congressman Seth Moulton (D-MA) introduced today to provide disaster relief to fishermen who have been harmed by the repercussions of the Trump Administration’s trade actions.  

“Farmers haven’t been the only ones to suffer the consequences of the Trump Administration’s sloppy trade actions. And while I’m glad that USDA will offer aid to agricultural producers, the government needs to step up for others who have been  harmed—especially fishermen,” said Pingree. “In Maine, the lobster industry is reeling from a 25% retaliatory Chinese tariff that has essentially cut off one of our largest export markets.* While I continue to press the Administration to restore stability to these and other trade markets, I’m proud to support this effort to provide fishermen relief in the short term. They don’t deserve to be victims of this self-imposed trade war.” 

The bill would provide disaster relief for commercial fishery failures due to tariffs imposed by the United States or another country.

Pingree has worked with the rest of Maine's Congressional Delegation to communicate the plight of fishermen to the Administration. Yesterday, she responded to the USDA’s plan to provide trade relief to farmers with a statement that urged the Administration to support other affected industries as well.

*A previous version of this press release erroneously stated that China is the largest export market for Maine lobster, but it ranks second behind Canada.