PORTLAND, Maine — Maine’s congressional delegation says President Donald Trump’s administration needs to help the state’s lobster industry because of the toll of trade tensions with China.
China emerged as a major buyer of Maine lobster earlier this decade, but new tariffs have weakened the ability of U.S. lobster exporters to sell the product to the Asian country.
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The four members of Maine’s delegation — U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King, and U.S. Reps. Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden — say Trump’s administration should provide relief to the lobster industry in a manner similar to the way the administration has helped farmers.
[Lobster wholesaler tells Pingree China tariffs have forced her to lay off workers]
Farmers have received billions of dollars in aid to compensate for the administration’s trade policies.
Maine’s lobster industry is coping with numerous stressors alongside the trade fight. It’s also faces a bait shortage and new fishing rules to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales.