Maine Delegation Urges Aid for Members of Lobster Industry Affected by Trade War

WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Jared Golden (D-Maine) sent a letter this morning urging President Donald Trump to provide relief to members of the lobster industry affected by the ongoing trade war with China – much as American farmers received government support to mitigate negative economic consequences. The letter emphasizes the importance of the Chinese market to Maine’s lobster industry, and notes that the impact of the trade war is compounded by other economic and ecological challenges facing the iconic Maine industry. The lobster industry has an economic impact of about $1.5 billion per year in Maine and is a key economic engine for coastal communities.

“One of the first victims of retaliation imposed by China after the initial round of tariffs was lobster shipped from Maine,” wrote the Maine Delegation. “Prior to these tariffs, China had become the second largest importer of Maine lobster.  During 2017 – the last full year before the tariffs went into effect – Chinese customers purchased $128.5 million of lobster from Maine, and during the first half of 2018, U.S. lobster exports to China increased by 169 percent. American lobster dealers were encouraged by this positive trend and optimistic that China would continue to increase its American lobster imports. Instead, calamity struck when the Chinese retaliated against tariffs that your administration placed on their goods.”

“We respectfully urge you to provide those segments of our lobster industry affected by these tariffs with relief similar to the aid that you are providing to our nation’s farmers,” the Maine Delegation continued. “Specifically, we request that you provide resources and aid intended to grow domestic demand for U.S. lobster and assist with the development of new export markets. Assistance to the lobster industry will help to lessen the blow of Chinese tariffs on a hallmark American industry that has done nothing to deserve the punishment that it is presently forced to bear.”

This week’s letter marks the delegation’s latest efforts to advocate for the lobster industry in trade negotiations. In February, the Maine Delegation called on U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to make the lobster industry a priority in the ongoing trade negotiations with China. In June 2018, the delegation hosted a meeting between top U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) officials and members of the Maine Lobster Dealers’ Association (MLDA) to discuss the impact of federal trade policies on the state’s lobster industry.

Additionally, the letter notes that the trade war is only one of the challenges facing this vital Maine industry. Specifically, the delegation references the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) proposed right whale take reduction efforts, which will have a significant impact on Maine lobstermen. In May, the delegation wrote a letter urging NOAA leadership to ensure that the science they are relying on is sound and comprehensive, the risk reduction standards are equitable across U.S. and Canadian jurisdictions, and the industry is included and consulted throughout the decision-making process.

The full letter can be downloaded HERE or read below:

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Dear Mr. President:

Why not lobster?

One of the first victims of retaliation imposed by China after the initial round of tariffs was lobster shipped from Maine.  Prior to these tariffs, China had become the second largest importer of Maine lobster.  During 2017 – the last full year before the tariffs went into effect – Chinese customers purchased $128.5 million of lobster from Maine, and during the first half of 2018, U.S. lobster exports to China increased by 169 percent.  American lobster dealers were encouraged by this positive trend and optimistic that China would continue to increase its American lobster imports.

Instead, calamity struck when the Chinese retaliated against tariffs that your administration placed on their goods.  The latest data from the Maine International Trade Center show that lobster exports to China have plummeted 84 percent since China imposed its retaliatory tariff.

To date, your administration has provided relief to American farmers who have been similarly affected by retaliatory tariffs, but has not provided such relief to the lobster industry, which is an integral part of our state’s economy.  Our 4,500 state-licensed lobstermen are small business owners who support both our treasured working waterfronts and the livelihoods of 10,000 additional Mainers.  As a whole, the lobster industry has an economic impact of about $1.5 billion per year in Maine.

The loss of Chinese business has caused lasting damage to some of Maine’s lobster dealers.  Maine Coast, a wholesaler in York, Maine, previously relied on China for approximately 22 percent of its business. Since the tariffs were imposed, however, Maine Coast has lost 90 percent of its Chinese business. While the short-term impact is difficult to endure, Maine Coast and other lobster dealers are perhaps most concerned by the fact that their former Chinese customers have forged new business relationships with Canadian lobster dealers.  When the lobster tariffs finally are lifted, Maine lobster dealers still will suffer a long-term, detrimental loss of business to their Canadian competitors.

You have recognized that the federal government should compensate innocent citizens who have been harmed by the trade dispute with China. The $16 billion in agricultural aid that you have directed Secretary Purdue to provide farmers, however, will not assist the hardworking people of Maine’s lobster industry who – like agricultural farmers — rely on nature’s bounty to fuel their livelihood.

The harm caused by Chinese tariffs is especially painful at a time when Maine’s lobster industry faces a number of economic and ecological challenges. For example, harvesters are deeply concerned that North Atlantic right whale take reduction efforts will negatively affect their livelihoods.  The Maine Congressional Delegation voiced these concerns in a May 28 letter to NOAA Acting Under Secretary Jacobs.  Furthermore, rapidly changing ocean conditions, shifting stock patterns, and an expected shortage of bait is placing new strain on Maine’s lobstermen.  Resilience is a trademark of this iconic industry, but this confluence of factors is a serious threat and the federal government should play a stabilizing role to ensure its continued success.

We respectfully urge you to provide those segments of our lobster industry affected by these tariffs with relief similar to the aid that you are providing to our nation’s farmers.  Specifically, we request that you provide resources and aid intended to grow domestic demand for U.S. lobster and assist with the development of new export markets.  Assistance to the lobster industry will help to lessen the blow of Chinese tariffs on a hallmark American industry that has done nothing to deserve the punishment that it is presently forced to bear.

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