Louisiana shrimp industry backs tariffs

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LOUISIANA (KLFY) — Louisiana Shrimp Association President Acy Cooper says the impacts of tariffs on the industry is expected to do what shrimpers across the nation have been hoping for since imports began taking over.

The once $2.5 billion industry has significantly decreased over the years with cheaper imported products from countries like India and Ecuador. Cooper says he and the rest of the Shrimper’s Association backs the tariffs as it brings them one step closer to being able to save the once thriving industry.

“It’s really, really great that when you change administration like this, that something like this can really happen,” said Cooper. “It goes to show you the power makes all the difference in the world.”

With the tariffs in place, more jobs can be brought back to the industry as prices on imports rise and allowing local products to compete.

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Cooper says even if the tariffs are discontinued, it will allow the federal government to notice the issues shrimpers across the country have been struggling with and be able to understand how much needs to be addressed to bring the industry back up.

“We’re talking about maybe even a cap on what’s coming in to give us some leeway,” he said. “We’re trying to get the attention to where he understands the urgency of what’s going on in this industry. Is the same issue over and over again works. If we all get to a point where we can’t survive. We’re going to lose this industry. That’s what we don’t want to happen.”

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