Canada withdraws U.S. seafood tariffs after feedback

Canada’s Finance Department announced that it has removed fish and seafood from its list of retaliatory tariffs after consulting industry feedback, a move intended to shield the broader economy from potential harm amid ongoing U.S. tariffs. The reversal, driven by concerns from east-coast aquaculture firms and the risk of further American levies, came shortly after Canada had proposed duties on roughly $20 billion in U.S. imports. Officials said the adjustment is designed to protect against broader economic harms, while retaliatory duties on other sectors remain in place with a Sept. 8 implementation date still on track. Industry voices, including the Nova Scotia Seafood Alliance, had criticized the plan to penalize seafood products, arguing it could backfire politically and economically. The government signaled that this is part of a broader, ongoing assessment of trade tensions with the United States, with ministers underscoring attempts to balance pressure on U.S. policymakers and the needs of Canadian producers. In parallel reporting, Canadian officials and analysts noted the potential political dimensions of the tariffs, including how U.S. regional responses and elections might influence the ongoing trade talks.