April 2, 2018 — Seafood is not on the list of 128 US products targeted by Chinese retaliatory tariffs.

On Monday China’s Ministry of Commerce (MoC) said it would be “suspending tariff concessions” on 128 US products, consisting mainly of US food and drink. Fresh and dried fruits, almonds, pistachios and wine will be subject to an additional 15% tariff. Eight other items, including frozen pork, will be subject to an additional 25% tariff.

The tariffs — announced in direct response to US tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, MoC said — are effective Monday and will impact $2 billion worth of US exports to China, said the ministry.

US seafood products will not be levied additional tariffs, however, Undercurrent News can confirm.

US soyabeans – which is used in Chinese aquatic feed production — are also absent from the list, which can be viewed here on the MoC website.

Last year, the US exported $1.3bn worth of seafood to China, making China the US’ largest seafood export market, according to National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).

US seafood exports to China included $128.7 million worth of live and fresh lobster (HS code 030632) and $51.6m worth of frozen crab (HS code 030614), according to International Trade Center. This included $17.0m of frozen Dungeness crab (HS code 0306144030). None of these HS codes are included on the list.

Chinese tariffs on US seafood would mainly hurt fishing industries in New England, the US west coast and Alaska.

Read the full story at Undercurrent News