Mississippi U.S. Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith and Roger Wicker are lauding a decision by the federal government to impose increased taxes on imported shrimp from four foreign countries.
The United States International Trade Commission affirmed antidumping and countervailing duty petitions against frozen warmwater shrimp coming from Ecuador, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Federal authorities discovered that the countries had either sold shrimp below market cost or benefitted financially from government subsidies.
Government officials concluded that these foreign actors have caused material injury to the U.S. shrimping industry. Hyde-Smith, a Republican lawmaker, further added that the countries’ actions harmed Mississippi shrimpers and producers.
“The ITC deserves credit for recognizing that an important American industry has been under siege from unfair foreign actors. The duties that will be imposed on shrimp imports from these countries should help Mississippi shrimpers and processors hold their own and, I hope, grow,” Hyde-Smith said. “We cannot and should not allow unfair trade practices to overwhelm the American shrimp industry. The ITC ruling is a strong step to ensuring that goal.”
Back in October, Hyde-Smith penned a letter to International Trade Commission Chair Amy Karpel supporting petitions filed against the four countries by the domestic shrimp industry. The Mississippi Senator alleged that unfair trade practices, child and slave labor, and the use of illegal drugs and chemicals on foreign shrimp farms contribute to a low cost of production — one with which U.S. producers cannot compete.
As a member of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, Hyde-Smith has also pressured Biden administration officials on its handling of shrimp imported from nations like Ecuador.
According to Wicker, between 2020 and 2022, there was a 9% increase in shrimp consumption in the United States. However, the domestic industry’s share of total consumption declined from 7.4% in 2020 to 5.9% in 2022, underscoring an unfair market.
As a result of the ITC’s recent vote, taxes ranging from 2.24 to 221.82% will be imposed on the imports of shrimp from the countries under observation.
“This is a significant victory for Mississippi’s shrimp industry. For generations, many Mississippians have relied on shrimping to support their families and communities,” Wicker said. “I applaud the ITC for making this decision. It will help keep our shrimpers on a level playing field with foreign competitors.”
