USDA Announces Aid for Fishing Industry Impacted by Chinese Tariffs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will begin accepting applications for relief payments from fishing industries impacted by Chinese retaliatory tariffs, USDA said in a notice released Sept. 9. The application period will run from Sept. 14 through Dec. 14 and will provide aid to “eligible U.S. commercial fishermen” that have suffered from a “loss of exports.” The USDA is also seeking comments on the notice, which details who is eligible for the payments and outlines the application process. Comments are due Nov. 13. The notice stems from a June order from President Donald Trump directing the administration to study the impacts of Chinese tariffs on U.S. seafood exports, including lobster (see 2006260012).