Premier Andrew Furey says applying a 25 per cent tariff on seafood exports to the United States is a significant concern for Newfoundland and Labrador.

Some 60 to 70 per cent of all seafood caught and produced in this province is exported to the US, with 90 per cent of the province’s snow crab bound for markets south of the border.

Furey joined his provincial counterparts in a meeting with the Prime Minister this week to solidify a ‘Team Canada’ approach to the possibility of trade penalties imposed by the United States.

The premier says what’s important for Newfoundland and Labrador may be important for Canada, but not necessarily for Quebec or Ontario. That’s why, he says, it’s important that each province’s interests is not out-negotiated by another province.

Furey says he called together various interests this week to put together a ‘Team NL’ approach by “pulling in industries and stakeholders from across the province,” to help him better understand their positions. “I can tell you there won’t be any trading of industry here in Newfoundland and Labrador – everybody can rest assured.”