Capitol Hill remains busy with confirmation hearings and SSA is engaging with our elected officials to ensure the U.S. shrimp industry’s concerns are highlighted during the process. The office of Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) worked closely with SSA to develop questions that define industry problems and is asking nominees to respond on record or in private pre-meetings with actions they will take to address them.
Yesterday, the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing with Jamieson Greer, who President Trump nominated to serve as the United States Trade Representative (USTR). This vital position negotiates directly with foreign governments to create trade agreements, resolves disputes, and participates in global trade policy organizations, giving it significant influence over many of SSA’s highest priority issues. During the hearing, Senator Cassidy, a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, explained the difficulties the U.S. shrimp industry has had in finding import relief from countries known to use illegal antibiotics and forced labor practices in shrimp production, asking Greer if he would commit to slapping a tariff on shrimp meeting such circumstances.
Greer indicated he wants to work with Senator Cassidy and U.S. shrimpers to make sure the U.S. government is “detecting the unfairness and addressing it.” His response references tools USTR could use, such as a Sec 301 tariff, if unfair trade practices haven’t been addressed after the imposition of trade remedies. Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 is a US trade law that allows USTR to address unfair trade practices for which there is no other remedy under U.S. law, such as unaddressed labor practices and use of banned and harmful veterinary drugs in foreign shrimp aquaculture that create unfair trade.
“Senator Cassidy’s strong advocacy on behalf of the U.S. shrimp industry at confirmation hearings conveys the urgency and importance of the problems facing our beleaguered shrimp industry,” stated John Williams, executive director of the Southern Shrimp Alliance. “Lax enforcement of current laws and statutes are threatening the future of our iconic shrimpers and the businesses that rely upon their hard work. We hope all nominees act quickly on Senator Cassidy’s stated concerns.”
Watch the exchange starting at the 2:30:50 mark of the hearing video: https://www.finance.senate.gov/hearings/hearing-to-consider-the-nomination-of-jamieson-greer-of-maryland-to-be-united-states-trade-representative-with-the-rank-of-ambassador-extraordinary-and-plenipotentiary
Read Senator Cassidy’s press release: https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cassidy-highlights-his-plans-to-hold-china-accountable-protect-louisiana-ricers-shrimpers-to-trump-ustr-nominee/