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The United States trade representative is receiving a chilly response to his efforts to broker a deal with the European Union to send more lobsters to Europe.

The American lobster industry is in the midst of a challenging time in part because of tariffs with China and the EU. U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer has asked EU officials to consider reducing tariffs on lobster, which is popular in many European nations, especially around Christmas.

A letter from EU trade commissioner Cecilia Malmstrm dated Nov. 6 said the European Union could potentially be interested in a broader trade package. However, Malmstrm balked at the idea of quickly approving a limited package of tariff cuts.

Such a deal should be part of a wider agreement to liberalize tariffs bilaterally for industries and products, including fisheries, Malmstrm wrote.

Neither Lighthizer nor Malmstrm responded to requests for comment.

Lighthizers attempt to roll back tariffs is coming as American lobster exports to Europe are falling. Canada, which exports the same species of lobster to Europe, brokered a new trade deal with the EU in 2017 that puts the U.S. at a disadvantage.

U.S. exports to France, valued at nearly $36 million in 2013, fell to less than $13 million last year. U.S. exports to China also have cratered due to trade hostilities between the two countries. And the American lobster fishery, based in Maine, is currently in the midst of a slower season than it has been accustomed to this decade, leading to some anxiety in the industry.

Three members of Maines congressional delegation sent a letter to Lighthizer on Thursday encouraging him to keep pushing for the elimination of the 8 percent tariff on live lobsters. The members Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree, Republican Sen. Susan Collins and independent Sen. Angus King wrote that Maine lobster producers and dealers must find new customers for our states most iconic product.

Jeff Bennett, the senior trade specialist at Maine International Trade Center, said hes not surprised the EU isnt on board with a new tariff deal solely based on lobsters.

The EU has generally taken a broader approach than one off or standalone type agreements, Bennett said.

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European Union rebuffs American pitch to reduce tariffs on lobsters - Press Herald