PORTLAND, Maine — The American lobster industry is starting to feel the pinch of China’s tariff on U.S. seafood as exporters and dealers cope with sagging prices, new financial pressures and difficulty sending lobsters overseas. It made the move at a time when many Chinese are acquiring a taste for American lobster. China’s American lobster imports grew from $108.3 million in 2016 to $142.4 million last year, and the country barely imported any American lobster a decade ago. Changes could be especially hard on lobster businesses in Maine, where the lobster industry is based, Sackton said. “I think there is a real issue, and the Maine industry is likely to get hurt,” he said.

Source: National Post September 14, 2018 17:48 UTC