Canada reverses seafood tariffs ahead of September 8 implementation to protect integrated North American market

Canada has reversed its decision to impose retaliatory tariffs on seafood and fish imports from the United States, pulling them from a list of countermeasures set to take effect on September 8.

The Liberal government introduced the sweeping tariffs on Tuesday as part of its ongoing trade war with the U.S., but the Finance Department announced late Wednesday it would remove the seafood measures to "protect against broader economic harms."

Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne defended the quick reversal, saying Ottawa listened to Canadians concerned with the countermeasures and that the decision was "the right thing to do in the interest of Canada."

Canada's seafood sector is closely integrated with the United States, and both countries are each other's top destination for lobster exports. The Maine Lobstermen Association had warned the tariffs would be "devastating" for its industry and coastal communities, since Canada is one of the most important markets for Maine lobster.

The source has not provided a complete list of the retaliatory tariffs Canada introduced on Tuesday that remain scheduled to take effect September 8, nor the total annual value of Canadian seafood exports to the United States.