While supporting Trump’s trade rebalancing agenda, Higgins didn’t mince words about the deal’s pitfalls. His letter spotlighted India’s dominance in US shrimp imports and how prior tariff hikes had breathed new life into domestic operations. Now, with tariffs easing, he fears a surge of low-quality, farmed shrimp from India, produced amid poor environmental controls and subpar health guidelines.

Higgins drew a vivid contrast: American Gulf shrimp, sustainably harvested under world-class standards, versus imports from industries with lax oversight. ‘These fishermen are proud Americans who just want a fair shot,’ he asserted, appealing for protective measures like enhanced anti-dumping enforcement and specialized safeguards for shrimp.

He specifically invoked the Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act, pushing for rigorous inspections and the power to eliminate non-compliant goods. This plea comes amid broader US-India efforts to deepen trade relations, aiming for lower barriers across sectors. Yet, for coastal communities, seafood remains a sore spot in trade negotiations.

Higgins’ intervention highlights the human stakes in high-level trade talks. Louisiana’s shrimpers, he noted, embody American resilience but need policy backing to compete globally. As the administration charts its course, this letter serves as a rallying cry to safeguard one of the nation’s iconic industries against unfair foreign competition.