关税困局：美国龙虾失去昔日在华“份额”

Core Insights - China is the largest consumer and importer of lobsters globally, with significant sources being Australia and New Zealand, but the U.S. is also an important market for lobster imports to China. However, due to trade tensions, U.S. fishermen are missing out on sales opportunities to China, and as China shifts towards suppliers in the Asia-Pacific region, regaining market share may be challenging for the U.S. [1] Group 1: Trade Dynamics - Earlier this year, U.S. lobster exports to China were halted due to tariff issues, with rates reaching triple digits. Although tariffs were reduced to 25% in May, U.S. exporters still face disadvantages compared to global competitors [3] - Maine accounts for approximately 90% of U.S. lobster supply, and due to ongoing trade uncertainties, fishermen are turning to the domestic market. However, domestic buyers cannot fully compensate for international demand, particularly from China [3] - Following a recent agreement between China and the U.S., China has agreed to suspend most tariffs on U.S. goods, retaining only a 10% tariff, which may benefit U.S. lobster exporters, although competition from Asia-Pacific remains [3] Group 2: Import Statistics - In the first three quarters of 2025, China imported 26,757 tons of lobsters, a significant increase from 11,770 tons in the same period last year. The top three sources of imports are Vietnam, Australia, and New Zealand [3] - The improvement in China-Australia relations has led to the resumption of live lobster exports from Australia to China starting December 2024, following the lifting of a nearly four-year import ban [3] Group 3: Competitive Challenges - U.S. fishermen are facing ongoing domestic and international demand softness amid fierce competition and uncertain U.S.-China relations. In the first seven months of this year, Maine's total lobster catch decreased by 37.8% to 15.5 million pounds (7,031 tons) [6] - The decline in catch volume has led to increased local lobster prices, with the average price per pound in Maine rising by 24.1% to $6.14 in 2024, making U.S. lobsters less competitive on price [6] - Some fishermen are diversifying into aquaculture or tourism projects to offset losses, but these measures are unlikely to reverse the situation in the short term [6]