New Brunswick's premier worries about Chinese seafood tariffs

New Brunswick's Premier Susan Holt is worried about the impact of China's new tariffs on Canadian seafood. China has imposed a 25 percent tax on various seafood products, which she calls "concerning and significant." Holt explained that China is a key market for New Brunswick seafood, although the United States remains more important. In 2023, the province exported nearly $87.8 million worth of seafood to China. The tariffs were introduced in response to Canada's recent imposition of a 100 percent surtax on Chinese-made electric vehicles and a 25 percent tax on steel and aluminum imports. The new Chinese duties apply to many seafood items, including lobster, snow crab, shrimp, and other specialized products like sea cucumber. Holt is urging the federal government to negotiate with China to lift these tariffs.