Sen. Vitelli speaks out against retaliatory lobster tariffs

AUGUSTA — Sen. Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic, joins a bipartisan group of state lawmakers in speaking out against the 25 percent Chinese tariff on U.S. lobster exports. In a letter to Maine’s Congressional Delegation, 112 state lawmakers warn of devastating economic consequences to Maine’s coastal communities and lobstermen if the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China continues.

“The lobster industry is a vital part of the economy of coastal Maine. These tariffs cause direct harm to Maine’s lobstermen and to our working families,” said Sen. Vitelli. “I am hopeful that if the public continues to speak up we can de-escalate the administration’s trade stance and return to common sense policy that does right by our working waterfronts.”

Two weeks ago, Chinese officials announced plans to tax imports of American lobster as retaliation in an escalating trade dispute between the two countries. The tariffs are scheduled to begin July 6.

Maine’s lobster industry generates about 4,000 jobs and contributes an estimated $1 billion to the state’s economy, according to a 2016 economic impact study. That’s in addition to the income earned by lobstermen when they sell their catch, which totals another nearly half a billion dollars each year. The state is responsible for the majority of all U.S. lobster exports.

The full text of the letter is available here. It was sent to U.S. Senators Angus King and Susan Collins, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree and Congressman Bruce Poliquin.

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