Sw Louisiana News

Congressman Clay Higgins has formally requested President Trump to impose tariffs and enhance trade enforcement on seafood imports from several countries, including China, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam. In his letter, Higgins highlighted the difficulties faced by domestic shrimpers, fishermen, and crawfish producers in Louisiana and nationwide due to competition with foreign seafood industries.

Higgins expressed concerns over what he described as "unrighteous trade practices" by these foreign entities. He stated that such practices "artificially drive down prices, disrupt fair market conditions, and threaten the livelihoods of hardworking American seafood producers." The Congressman warned that without robust intervention, the U.S. seafood industry would remain susceptible to these illegal trade tactics.

In his appeal to the administration, Higgins urged for comprehensive use of enforcement tools. These include imposing antidumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVD), stricter testing protocols, and potentially levying tariffs up to 100% or destroying non-compliant shipments. He emphasized that such measures are crucial "to ensure a level playing field for American producers," thus safeguarding the competitiveness of the domestic market and supporting coastal communities' economies and cultures.