Canada’s PM heads to China to tackle crippling lobster tariffs

Nova Scotia’s lobster fishermen are drowning in lost sales. Can high-stakes talks in China throw them a lifeline before the industry capsizes?

, and Administrator

2026 January 18 . 1:37 PM

1 min read

The image shows a large American lobster in a plastic container on a table. The lobster is brown... — The image shows a large American lobster in a plastic container on a table. The lobster is brown and black in color.

Canada’s PM heads to China to tackle crippling lobster tariffs

Prime Minister Mark Carney will travel to China later this month for high-level trade talks. The meetings come as Nova Scotia’s lobster industry struggles under Chinese tariffs imposed last year. Exporters have reported a sharp drop in sales, raising pressure to resolve the dispute.

China introduced a 25% tariff on Canadian lobster in 2023, hitting Nova Scotia’s seafood sector hard. Some exporters now report a 40% decline in lobster sales to the country this year alone. The industry has sought new buyers, with exports outside the U.S. and China rising by roughly 43% in October 2023.

The upcoming trade discussions will cover these tariffs, along with other contentious issues. Canadian duties on Chinese electric vehicles and China’s restrictions on canola imports are also on the agenda. Carney’s visit aims to address the ongoing trade tensions between the two nations.

The talks could determine whether Nova Scotia’s lobster industry sees relief from the current tariffs. A resolution might help stabilise exports, though no immediate changes have been confirmed. The outcome will likely shape trade relations in the months ahead.