The White House and the European Union on Friday struck a deal to ease the pain the Maine lobster industry has experienced under the Trump administration and its trade war with China.
The deal would eliminate the European Union’s tariffs on American cancer, a barrier that has largely closed the market to the US since 2017, when a deal between Canada and the EU led most European companies to the northern neighbor brought.
“This victory, which I am advocating for, reopens this lucrative market for Maine lobster by putting it on an equal footing with Canadian lobster,” Sen. Susan Collins
Susan Margaret CollinsUS trade deal with EU a reward for lobster industry wrestling under China tariffs Bush supports Collins with first distinction of 2020 cycle More than three dozen Fed alumni apply to House to oust Judy Shelton (R-Maine) wrote on Twitter.
Friday’s deal slashed European tariffs on lobster, which is currently between 8 percent and 30 percent, a move that could help the US reopen a market that was once the destination for up to 20 percent of lobsters. .
The deal could provide relief to Maine cancer wholesalers who have seen losses as the Chinese market evaporated with rates up to 35 percent. Lobster exports to Maine to China fell nearly 50 percent after tariffs hit in 2018.
Annie Tselikis, executive director of the Maine Lobster Dealers’ Association, told The Hill that the European market had been the key to Maine cancer even before problems with China.
“Any opportunity to restore access to this previously lucrative and critical export destination is currently very critical for this sector,” she said, as the coronavirus has destroyed major domestic markets for cancer such as restaurants and hotels.
The rest of the Maine delegation, which is all caucus with Democrats, also saw the news in the context of several other issues still hanging over the sector.
“Because of the challenges posed by harmful revenge Chinese tariffs, the economic costs of the pandemic and misguided regulation, there is no question that today’s agreement offers a welcome bit of good news for the Maine lobster industry,” he said. Sen. Angus King
Angus KingUS trade deals with EU cancer industry advantage wrestling under China rates Schumer over nibbling on filibuster: ‘Nothing’s off the table’ Maine delegation fears Trump will not provide trade aid to cancer industry MORE (I) and reps. Chellie Pingree
Rochelle (Chellie) Accuses PingreeUSPS changes for deliveries of thousands of dead chicks: ‘We’ve never had a problem like this’ Maine delegation fears Trump will not deliver on trade aid to cancer industry Trump’s pitch to Maine praise falls flat MORE (D) and Jared Golden (D) said in a release praising the renewed “level playing field.”
“There is a lot more work to be done to protect the Maine lobster industry and the coastal communities that rely on it, but this is a solid development.”
President Trump
Donald John TrumpCEO of parent company National Enquirer steps out Biden that he would shut down US in the midst of pandemic when scientists said it was necessary. Warren is calling for board members of the Postal Service to fire DeJoy or MORE has made several overtures to the Maine lobster industry this summer, as both Collins and his own election prospects in the state continue to look challenging.
News of the deal came just days after the entire state delegation reiterated its plea for aid to the lobster industry, similar to that given to Midwest farmers, who also lost a major market for corn, soybeans and pork due to the trade dispute.
Trump has appointed the U.S. Department of Agriculture to establish such a program for cancers, but the deadline to do so is until Monday, and the Maine delegation has said they have yet to hear a word from the bureau.
“This 60-day period is nearing completion, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture has not yet taken any further action. We urge you to keep the President’s promise and to help the thousands of Mainers immediately whose livelihoods depend on this critical sector, ‘the Maine delegation wrote in a letter to the bureau on Wednesday.
Prior to Canada’s agreement with Europe, the US exported $ 111 million in lobster to the continent. In exchange for the elimination of tariffs on crayfish, the US will cut its tariffs by 50 percent to $ 160 million in trade in products – from prepared foods to certain crystal glassware to cigarette lighters.
The deal is retroactive until August 1, and will last five years, although a Collins release said the EU is expected to take steps to make it permanent.
“We intend for this package of tariff reductions to mark the very beginning of a process that will lead to additional agreements that will make free, fair and reciprocal transatlantic trade possible,” said U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer
Robert (Bob) Emmet LighthizerWhiskey, workers and friends caught in trade dispute crossfire GOP senator warns quick vote on new NAFTA would be ‘huge mistake’ Pelosi casts doubt on USMCA deal in 2019 MAY said in a statement alongside the EU Trade Commission.
The Trump administration has announced several initiatives this summer to help Maine’s lobster industry, but many of them have more political than practical value to the state’s fisheries.
Trump traveled to the state in June to announce that he had turned protection for an area of 5,000 miles of ocean territory into a bid to open it to fishing.
But the area, Northeast Canyonons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, was never closed to lobstering, and, even more critical to Maine lobstermen, lies 130 miles southeast of Cape Cod – far beyond the reach of Maine’s day-boat lobstermen.
“This does not help the Maine fisherman at all,” Leroy Weed, 79, a longtime lobsterman from Stonington, told The Hill shortly after Trump’s announcement.
“There is no boat in this port that is worth $ 2 million and could go out and participate,” he said.
And the delays in aid – which the Maine delegation has been asking for for more than a year – have worried it will never come to fruition.
‘Maine praise terms, dealers and processors have been hit hard by the president’s trade war – but the administration has not followed up on aid, such as that given to farmers and peasants. The Maine delegation will continue to push for this sector, “King tweeted Thursday.
—Updated at 4:24 p.m.
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