Maine (NEWS CENTER Maine) --- Top leaders in Maine oppose China's plan to put tariffs on American lobster exports.
They believe these tariffs would gravely impact the Maine lobster industry.
On Friday, Maine senators Susan Collins and Angus King, along with representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin released this joint statement:
"Maine's lobster industry is an irreplaceable piece of our state's economy and supports thousands of jobs and entire coastal communities.
Just two weeks ago, the Maine delegation heard directly from our state's lobster industry about the economic hardship a trade war with China would cause them. We will be outlining our concerns with the USTR about how these new tariffs will jeopardize this industry."
American lobster exports have proven to be very popular with China's middle-class consumers. A report by the Associated Press reveals that the U.S. exported more than $142 million of lobster to Chinese markets.
The report also states the tariff is just one of several hundred the Chinese plan to impose against U.S exporters.
China said it is looking to implement the tariffs on American lobster on July sixth.
