August 31, 2020 — The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a trade investigation to assess the impact of Canada’s worldwide lobster exports on the U.S. lobster industry.
It’s the latest election year overture aimed at Maine, where lobster, valued at $468 million US in 2019, is the state’s largest export. It is also where Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Trump are trailing in the polls.
On Aug. 24, the United States International Trade Commission announced it will investigate the possible negative effects of the Canada-Europe Trade Agreement (CETA) on American lobster exports.
The investigation was requested by U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. The investigation will also examine tariff treatment of Canadian lobster in the United Kingdom, China and other countries.
“We’re not sure what it means,” said Geoff Irvine, executive director of the Lobster Council of Canada.