President Donald Trump’s upcoming “reciprocal tariffs,” set to be unveiled on April 2, have thrust the U.S. shrimp industry into a spotlight of hope and uncertainty. Dubbed “liberation day” by the administration, this policy aims to mirror the trade barriers other nations impose on American goods. For shrimpers, who have long grappled with a flood of cheap foreign imports, these tariffs could offer a desperately needed shield—or spark a trade war that sinks their fragile livelihoods.

The shrimp industry’s plight is stark. Nearly two dozen submissions to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) have painted a grim picture of its struggles. George Barisich, a 69-year-old Louisiana shrimper, put it bluntly in his letter: “The volume of cheap, possibly contaminated shrimp has put the domestic shrimp industry in a downward spiral. Last year, I received one-third of the price for shrimp that I got in the 1980s.” His words echo the economic reality for many: foreign shrimp, often priced below what domestic producers can sustain, have eroded their market share and pushed operational costs beyond reach.

A Plea for Protection

The Louisiana Shrimp Association has not stood idle. It has called on the Trump administration to impose quotas or limits on shrimp imports, a move they see as critical to halting the industry’s decline. For shrimpers, this is more than a policy preference—it’s a matter of survival. They argue that such restrictions could curb the influx of low-cost shrimp, much of it from Asia and Latin America, and give domestic producers a fighting chance to regain their footing.

Yet, the industry’s push for protection comes with caution. Shrimpers are acutely aware that drawing too much attention to their woes could invite retaliation from trading partners. The U.S. shrimp sector isn’t just about selling at home; exports play a key role, and a tit-for-tat trade conflict could slam shut those overseas markets. This delicate balance—seeking help without becoming a target—defines their current stance.

The Double-Edged Sword of Tariffs

Trump’s tariff plans present a high-stakes gamble for shrimp harvesters. On one side, reciprocal tariffs could raise the cost of imported shrimp, offering domestic producers a reprieve from relentless price competition. This aligns with the industry’s long-standing grievances about unfair trade practices that have undercut their viability. But the flip side is grim: a broader trade war could disrupt global seafood markets, driving up costs and shrinking demand for U.S. shrimp abroad.

The administration’s approach adds to the uncertainty. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has suggested that tariffs might be tailored to each country’s barriers against U.S. goods, but specifics remain elusive. For shrimpers, this lack of clarity fuels both optimism and dread. They hope for targeted measures that bolster their position, yet fear a chaotic escalation that leaves them worse off.