EU Trade Committee Votes 40-2 to back EU-US Lobster Deal

Portland, Maine – The Maine Lobster Dealers’ Association (MLDA) welcomed the news today that the European Union Trade Committee voted overwhelmingly to advance the so-called “Lobster Mini Deal.” The agreement, announced August 21, 2020, will eliminate tariffs on lobsters exported from the United States to Europe and apply Most Favored Nation (MFN) status to the product. “This is a step in the right direction for US lobster businesses. They have been anxiously awaiting additional details on this deal since it was announced. While we recognize that there are additional steps before we reach parity, we are certainly encouraged by today’s news,” said Annie Tselikis, MLDA Executive Director.

US lobster exporters have experienced a trade disadvantage in the European Union since September 2017 when the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union was implemented. CETA eliminated tariffs of 8-20% on Canadian lobster exports, while the tariffs on lobster exported from the United States remained. 

Upon completion of the deal, tariffs on all lobster products will be reduced to 0%, retroactive to August 1, 2020.