China's retaliatory tariffs on Canadian seafood could paralyze B.C.'s geoduck industry

China's intent to slap new tariffs on Canadian seafood exports has British Columbia's geoduck harvesters worried. 

According to a statement from China's Ministry of Finance, the new tariffs are in response to Canada's 100 per cent tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles and 25 per cent levy on its aluminum and steel, both implemented late last year.

Seafood — including geoduck, lobster and shrimp — and pork are among the items that China will tariff at 25 per cent, while a 100 per cent tariff will be imposed on canola and peas. China's tariffs are set to take effect on March 20.

The move comes amid an ongoing trade war launched by U.S. President Donald Trump last month.

Geoduck harvester Darrell Thomas says China's tariffs are a blow to his already struggling business.

"We're commercial divers [who] individually hand-pick each geoduck," he said.

Geoducks are large saltwater clams known for their long siphon and their ability to burrow deep into the sand.

WATCH | B.C. seafood faces uncertainty amid Chinese tariffs:

China’s new tariffs threaten B.C.'s seafood industry

3 days ago

Duration 2:06

Some Canadian businesses are bracing for a round of tariffs from China in response to Canada’s tariffs against their aluminium, steel and electric cars. As Liam Britten reports, B.C.’s seafood industry says it needs help from the government to navigate choppy waters.

World politics and economics have already contributed to a 22 per cent decline in how much geoduck harvesters receive from fish brokers, says Thomas.

He said China's 25 per cent tariff will be difficult — and potentially impossible —  to handle, estimating that the value of geoducks could drop by 50 per cent.

The seafood export market to China is worth just under $300 million, and the geoduck export market to China is worth roughly $50 million, according to the B.C. Seafood Alliance. Ninety-five per cent of the province's geoduck harvest is sold to China.

"Our brokers are saying that we're looking at a complete, coast-wide shutdown [of the industry] starting on the 17th of March," Thomas said. 

Thomas said workers and companies in his industry hope the federal government will negotiate with China to "maybe hit a pause."

B.C. Seafood Alliance executive director Christina Burridge said many of the province's fisheries are in a wait-and-see situation, but some fisheries, including geoduck companies, are likely to close early this season.

LISTEN | B.C.'s seafood industry vulnerable to tariffs:

On The Coast7:49China tariffs on Canadian seafood could affect geoduck harvest in B.C.

On top of the ongoing trade war with the U.S., China has now brought down another hammer on many Canadian farm and seafood experts. The geoduck is one such item exported in majority to China. We hear from the President of B.C's Underwater Harvesters Association about challenges the province's seafood sector is facing.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) said in a statement that the government is hoping to negotiate with Chinese officials to address both countries' trade concerns.

"The Government of Canada will always stand up for Canadian businesses and workers and defend them from the harmful effects of unfair trade policies," the statement said.

B.C. Premier David Eby said he's urging the federal government to treat the Chinese tariffs with the same urgency as tariffs levied by the U.S.

"We're going to make sure that we're supporting the seafood industry in accessing other markets," he said, adding that he is meeting with trade officials from around the world.

"They are also trying to get away from the United States… [so] it creates a huge opportunity for British Columbia."

More than 7,500 people in B.C. work in fishing-related jobs, with a total of 64,400 jobs nationwide, according to 2023 data from DFO.