Ottawa Drops Seafood From Retaliation List, Adds Copper Wire and Charcoal

Two days after unveiling its C$27.6 billion retaliation package, Canada's Department of Finance published a revised counter-tariff list dated Aug 26 that removed all 254 tariff lines covering fish and seafood (HS Chapter 3) — including Pacific and Atlantic salmon, swordfish, trout, tuna and sardines — that had been set for a 25% duty. The department said it made 'select adjustments to protect against broader economic harms, including removing seafood and fish products from our list of counter tariffs, while maintaining dollar for dollar and rate for rate response to US products.' Nine items were added at the 50% tier — wood charcoal, printed matter, gypsum board, glass containers and copper wire — cutting the total list from 874 to 629 tariff lines while the stated affected value stayed near C$27.6 billion. The Canadian Independent Fish Harvesters' Federation and Maine's congressional delegation both welcomed the reversal, citing an integrated, time-sensitive supply chain that crosses the border — nearly half of Maine's fall lobster catch is processed in New Brunswick.