Central Louisiana News

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy has expressed approval for the U.S. International Trade Commission's recent decision to impose tariffs on frozen warmwater shrimp imports from Ecuador, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The move comes after petitions were submitted by the American Shrimp Processors Association.

Senator Cassidy stated, "Countries selling shrimp below their cost to the U.S. undermine Louisiana producers and Louisiana jobs. We should use every tool we have to ensure fairness in dealing with American businesses."

Previously, Senator Cassidy and industry representatives had successfully advocated for maintaining anti-dumping orders against China, India, Thailand, and Vietnam during a five-year review by the commission. The concern was that lifting these orders could exacerbate issues facing domestic producers.

In his ongoing efforts to support Louisiana shrimpers, Cassidy addressed the issue at a U.S. Senate Finance Committee hearing in April with U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai. He sought updates on measures being taken to curb shrimp dumping from Asian countries and referenced a whistleblower report concerning the safety of Indian-imported shrimp.

Furthermore, in July, Cassidy led an initiative urging U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo not to recognize Vietnam as a market economy due to factors such as controlled currency and lack of labor rights. He warned that granting this status could harm industries like those of Louisiana shrimpers already affected by unfair trade practices from Vietnam.