WASHINGTON — A Republican congressman from Louisiana has warned that a new U.S.-India trade framework could harm American shrimpers, arguing that reduced tariffs on Indian seafood may undercut the domestic wild-caught shrimp industry.
In a February 3 letter to President Donald Trump, Rep. Clay Higgins said he supports efforts to rebalance trade but expressed concern about the potential impact on Gulf Coast fishermen if Indian shrimp imports increase.
“While I commend your leadership in securing the framework of the recent United States-India trade deal and the broader goal of rebalancing trade in America’s favor, I remain concerned about impacts on our domestic shrimpers and fishermen,” Higgins wrote in the letter, which was released publicly on Tuesday.
He warned that lowering tariffs on Indian goods could “reopen the floodgates to low-quality, farm-raised Indian shrimp,” noting that India has long been among the largest exporters of shrimp to the United States.
Higgins said earlier tariff actions had provided temporary relief to American shrimpers, allowing them time to recover from years of import pressure.
Drawing a contrast between domestic and foreign production, Higgins emphasized that wild-caught Gulf shrimp are harvested under strict environmental and labor standards. He argued that much of the shrimp imported into the United States benefits from weaker environmental oversight and lower public health standards.
In the absence of higher tariffs on Indian seafood, Higgins urged the administration to pursue alternative measures within the scope of the new trade framework. He called for enhanced inspections of imported seafood, stronger enforcement of existing antidumping and countervailing duties, shrimp-specific safeguards to prevent a surge of underpriced imports, and support for legislation that would allow the destruction of imported products that fail to meet U.S. health standards.
Appealing directly to the president, Higgins said Trump has consistently stood with American workers and producers against unfair trade practices.
“The fishermen of Louisiana are proud Americans who ask only for a fair chance to compete and a level playing field,” he wrote. “I respectfully request that your administration act promptly to ensure that the benefits of fair trade policy extend to every American industry, including our crucial domestic shrimpers.”
The letter was also sent to the secretaries of Homeland Security, Commerce, and State, as well as the commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The issue has surfaced as Washington and New Delhi seek to deepen economic ties under a new trade framework aimed at reducing tariffs and expanding market access. Seafood has long been a sensitive area in U.S. trade policy, particularly in coastal states with large fishing communities, and India remains one of the world’s leading exporters of shrimp to the United States. (Source: IANS)
