Press Releases

Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) and Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Jared Golden (D-Maine) applauded a trade agreement that will eliminate the European Union’s (EU) tariffs on American lobster. The agreement comes after years of retaliatory tariffs in both the EU and China have imposed severe economic challenges for Maine’s lobster industry, and follows extensive pressure from the Maine Congressional Delegation. 

“As they face the challenges of harmful retaliatory Chinese tariffs, the pandemic’s economic costs, and misguided federal regulations, there is no question that today’s agreement provides a welcome bit of good news for Maine’s lobster industry,” said Senator King and Representatives Pingree and Golden. “The removal of these tariffs will give Maine’s lobstermen, dealers, and processors a level playing field with their Canadian competitors, and restore a key market that brings millions of dollars of economic activity into our state. There’s much more work to be done to protect Maine’s lobster industry and the coastal communities that rely on it, but this is a solid development. All we want is a fair fight, without the political hurdles – because there’s no fishery in the world that can match the quality of our catch or the dedication of Maine people.”

For over a year, King, Pingree and Golden have worked together to offset the financial toll President Trump’s trade war has had on the state’s seafood industry. In November, King and Pingree, along with Collins, urged the U.S. Trade Representative to prioritize a deal with the EU to eliminate tariffs on Maine lobster, resulting in today’s announcement. Yesterday, the delegation also sent a letter along with Senator Susan Collins urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to act in support of Maine’s lobster industry. 

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