The United States announced a 35% tariff on Canada, with lobster, snow crab, and salmon trade facing severe challenges

Trump publicly communicated a message about tariffs to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Truth Social, stating that he will impose a 35% tariff on Canadian imported goods starting August 1st, citing Canada's failure to meet U.S. expectations in stopping fentanyl from illegally entering the U.S. northern border.

"As you know, the U.S. tariffs on Canada are in response to the fentanyl crisis, partly because Canada has failed to stop drugs from entering the United States," the letter stated. "Not only has Canada not strengthened cooperation with the United States, but it has retaliated by imposing tariffs on the U.S. From August 1st, 2025, we will impose a 35% general tariff on products exported from Canada to the U.S., without targeting specific industries. If Canadian companies manufacture products within the United States, they will not be subject to tariffs. In fact, we will do everything possible to quickly, professionally, and routinely approve related applications, which can be implemented within weeks."

Trump did not mention any tariff exemptions under the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement), which was signed during his first term in 2020.

Canada is the United States' largest seafood trade partner, with the U.S. importing seafood worth nearly $4 billion from Canada in 2024, totaling 308,000 tons. Meanwhile, the U.S. exported seafood worth $1 billion to Canada, approximately 160,000 tons.

If the tariffs are implemented, the North American Boston lobster industry will pay a heavy price, as large quantities of U.S. lobsters are typically first transported to Canada for processing before being resold in the United States. Additionally, Canadian exports of snow crab, salmon, and other products will face severe challenges.