Now European seafood exporters face Trump tariff wrath

The bloc joins the Canadian seafood sector under the cosh which is facing an even higher levy of 35%.

 

Norway is not part of the EU, but if the threat goes ahead on 1 August, it is still likely to affect Norway’s salmon farmers, as they sell a great deal of fish to the likes of Poland, Denmark and the Netherlands for processing which is then exported on.

 

Companies such as Mowi and Cermaq are in a better position as they can export to the US through their Chile operations – unless that country also becomes a target.

 

It is a situation which threatens to become both complicated and ugly as Trump has warned he will impose even higher import taxes if Europe decides to retaliate.

 

In the letter sent on Friday to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Trump wrote: “We have had years to discuss our trading relationship with the European Union, and have concluded that we must move away from these long-term-large, and persistent, trade deficits, engendered by your tariff, and non-tariff, policies and trade barriers.”

 

Trump doesn’t like the EU and a few weeks ago he threatened to raise import taxes from the Continent to 50% if trade talks stalled.

 

It remains unclear how all this affects Norway’s salmon industry as Norwegian salmon is exported to the United States by various routes.

 

But it is clear that the uncertainty that existed at the start of the year when Trump first announced his new tariff policy has returned.

 

Von der Leyen said the EU remained ready "to continue working towards an agreement by Aug 1".

 

"Few economies in the world match the European Union’s level of openness and adherence to fair trading practices," her statement added.

 

"We will take all necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures if required,” she added.