Washington, Feb 11 (NationPress) A Republican congressman representing Louisiana has raised significant concerns regarding the new US–India trade agreement and its potential repercussions for American shrimpers. He cautioned that reduced tariffs on Indian seafood might adversely affect the domestic wild-caught shrimp industry.

In a letter dated February 3 to President Donald Trump, Congressman Clay Higgins expressed his support for initiatives aimed at rebalancing trade. However, he highlighted the possible negative effects on Gulf Coast fishermen.

“While I appreciate your leadership in establishing the structure of the recent United States-India trade deal and the overarching objective of rebalancing trade in favor of America, I am worried about the consequences for our domestic shrimpers and fishermen,” Higgins mentioned in his letter to Trump, which was made public on Tuesday.

He warned that “The lowering of tariffs on goods from India will reopen the floodgates to low-quality, farm-raised Indian shrimp.”

Higgins pointed out that India “has consistently been one of the largest exporters of shrimp to the United States,” adding that “the temporary relief achieved through your earlier tariff measures allowed our shrimpers some breathing space.”

The Louisiana representative differentiated between the standards of domestic shrimp production and those of imports.

“Our wild-caught Gulf shrimp is among the finest globally and is harvested in adherence to strict environmental and labor regulations,” he stated. “Conversely, much of the shrimp imported into the United States comes from sources with lower environmental oversight and inadequate public health standards from foreign seafood industries.”

In light of the absence of increased tariffs on Indian seafood, Higgins called on the administration to explore alternative strategies within the new agreement.

“This could be accomplished through enhanced inspections under 21 US Code § 381(h), rigorous enforcement of existing antidumping and countervailing duties through 19 US Code § 1671, the establishment of shrimp-specific safeguards to prevent a new influx of underpriced imports, and supporting legislation like H.R. 2715, the Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act, which would permit the destruction of products failing to meet American health standards,” he wrote.

Appealing directly to the President, Higgins remarked: “Mr. President, you have consistently stood by American workers and producers against unfair trade practices.”

“The fishermen from Louisiana are proud Americans who only seek a fair opportunity to compete and a level playing field,” he added. “I respectfully urge your Administration to act swiftly to ensure that the advantages of fair trade policies benefit every American industry, including our essential domestic shrimpers.”

The letter was also shared with the Secretaries of Homeland Security, Commerce, and State, along with the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The shrimp issue has gained prominence as Washington and New Delhi strive to strengthen economic connections under a new trade framework aimed at reducing tariffs and broadening market access in various sectors. Seafood has long been a contentious topic in U.S. trade discussions, especially in coastal states with significant fishing populations.

India stands as one of the world's foremost exporters of shrimp to the United States.