Canadian Fisheries Minister to Visit China Amid Uncertainty Over Seafood Tariffs

Canadian Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson will visit China later this month, her office confirmed Thursday, as a deadline approaches for Chinese tariffs affecting Canada’s lobster and crab industries.

China imposed an additional 25 per cent tariff on Canadian seafood in 2025 in retaliation for Canada’s tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, steel and aluminum.

However, during Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to China in January this year, the two countries reached an agreement under which Beijing temporarily suspended the additional tariffs until December 31, 2026.

With the deadline approaching, Canada’s seafood industry faces uncertainty over whether China will extend the tariff exemption. Thompson’s planned visit is expected to take place against this backdrop of concern over the future of Canadian seafood exports.

Canada exports a significant share of its seafood to China, making continued access to the Chinese market important for the country’s lobster and crab industries.