The Ottawa government removed fish and seafood from a list of US products worth about $20 billion that it had prepared in response to Washington’s tariffs.
Canada’s Finance Ministry said the change was made in response to feedback from domestic industries.
Aim to prevent broader economic harm
The decision came one day after Canada announced that it would impose retaliatory tariffs on goods subject to US tariffs. The ministry said the measure was intended to prevent broader economic harm.
The Finance Ministry said it would continue assessing the impact of the tariffs with Canadian industries, focusing particularly on sectors targeted by US tariffs.
The Ottawa government said it could make further changes to the retaliatory tariff list. The measures are intended to provide a response to the US tariffs that is equivalent in dollar value and proportionate in rate.
Concerns in the seafood sector
Some Canadian seafood processors that import lobster from the US warned that the tariffs could increase their costs. Domestic producers in Canada also feared that the tariffs could trigger new US retaliatory measures.
The initial tariff package covered most of the products included in the roughly $20 billion in US tariffs that took effect on Saturday. Pulp and paper products remained on the list, while fish and seafood were not among the sectors specifically targeted by the US.
Canada’s retaliatory tariffs are scheduled to take effect on September 8.