Shrimp claims over the top

News 09:31 25/02/2013 496
The US shrimp industry seems to operate under the following theory _ if they do the same thing, over and over, the result will eventually be pleasantly rewarding. Twice since 2004, the industry has pressured trade officials to investigate the "dumping" of frozen shrimp from Thailand, the biggest supplier of shrimp to the US. Twice they were defeated. But the persistent protectionists are at it again, hoping once again for a different result and a better life financed by huge fines against Thailand.

 In 2006, as part of preparations for the most recent dumping lawsuit against Thailand, the US passed the Byrd Amendment. It is fittingly named for its sponsor, the late US Sen Robert Byrd. Byrd was once a community leader of the Ku Klux Klan and never known for his friendliness to foreigners. His provision allows the US International Trade Commission to compare the price of Thai shrimp in markets in the US and Japan.

Shrimp is big business around the world, but especially so between Thailand and the US. Thailand supplies more than a quarter of all shrimp eaten by Americans. They bring well over US$1 billion (29.7 billion baht) a year to Thai exporters. The Office of Commercial Affairs of the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington said last week that from January to October last year the US imported $973 million worth of shrimp from Thailand _ just short of 29 billion baht. That is twice as much as Indonesia, Ecuador and India sell.

Thai shrimp imports are an attractive target in the litigious US for several reasons. The US shrimp industry is legitimately hurting, because imported shrimp is cheaper than most US shrimp. Hurricane Katrina in 2005 decimated shrimp fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico. Environmentalists love the lawsuits against Thai shrimp because they can slip in references to Thai farms which harm coastal forests. Human rights groups add allegations of child labour in the packing process.

The bottom line, however, is that it is pretty well all about the money. If the US government lawsuit succeeds, Thai exporters will be slapped with so-called "countervailing duties" _ essentially, fines for selling better products at a cheaper price. These fines should end up in the pockets of US shrimpers, who are allegedly hurt by the Thai exporters' success.

International trade disputes are common, and often understandable. Globalisation has brought hardship to local industries in virtually every country. But after three disputes in eight years, the US lawsuits against Thai shrimp exporters are looking more like harassment than legitimate complaints.

The huge volume of Thai shrimp imported by the US over the past decade has made dumping charges illogical. No industry could accept such losses for such a long time. It must be hoped the US will wrap up this latest investigation quickly and get back to dining on delicious Thai shrimp.

Bạn đang đọc bài viết Shrimp claims over the top tại chuyên mục News của Hiệp hội VASEP

TIN MỚI CẬP NHẬT

Addressing the IUU “Yellow Card” in Ca Mau: Digitalizing Data and Tightening Fishing Vessel Management

 |  14:53 08/09/2026

(seafoo.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau Province is stepping up efforts to protect aquatic resources and promote transparent and sustainable fisheries, joining the country’s efforts to have the European Commission (EC) remove its “yellow card” warning for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Vietnam emerges as key seafood supplier to China’s $20 billion market

 |  08:28 07/09/2026

(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam has strengthened its position in China’s massive seafood market, becoming the largest lobster supplier while maintaining a dominant share of the country’s imported pangasius.

What did businesses and buyers find at Vietfish 2026?

 |  10:14 03/09/2026

(vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026 was more than just a larger exhibition space. Through B2B meetings, booth discussions, production-chain visits and post-show feedback, businesses and buyers found something more concrete: suitable suppliers, processing capabilities, technology solutions, new markets and a foundation for building long-term trust and partnerships.

Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the US: a large market, but a breakthrough remains elusive

 |  07:54 02/09/2026

(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States declined significantly in the first seven months of 2026. Cumulative export value reached US$18 million, down 42% from the same period in 2025. In July alone, exports amounted to just US$2 million, plunging 70%, indicating a clear slowdown in import demand from the US market.

The future workforce: the fisheries sector must become a career of choice

 |  07:58 31/08/2026

(vasep.com.vn) At the seminar “Global Seafood Markets and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities and Directions for the Sustainable Development of Vietnam’s Fisheries Sector,” held as part of VIETFISH 2026, Ms. Shirlene Maria Anthonysamy, Fisheries Officer (Markets) and GLOBEFISH Coordinator at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), presented initiatives aimed at promoting youth participation in fisheries and aquaculture.

From POR21 Pressure to Opportunities for Vietnam’s Pangasius to Expand into Potential Markets

 |  08:31 25/08/2026

(vasep.com.vn) In the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the United States reached US$189 million, down 8% year-on-year. In July alone, export value reached US$22 million, down 28%. This trend indicates that U.S. demand for pangasius imports has remained relatively cautious this year, as importers tend to maintain moderate inventory levels and limit stockpiling.

VIETFISH 2026 Successfully Concludes: record scale, innovation highlights, and meaningful business connections

 |  19:33 23/08/2026

(vasep.com.vn) After three days at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam International Fisheries Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 – has successfully concluded, leaving a strong impression in terms of scale, visitor numbers, the quality of business connections, and innovative activities. With more than 14,000 m² of exhibition space, 335 companies, 568 booths, participation from representatives of 17 countries and territories, and nearly 15,000 visitors, VIETFISH 2026 has once again affirmed its role as an important meeting point for Vietnam’s and the global seafood industry.

5 Seminars at Vietfish 2026: New Perspectives for the Seafood Industry

 |  09:48 21/08/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Held as part of Vietfish 2026 from August 19–21 at SECC in Ho Chi Minh City, a series of five specialized seminars provided the seafood business community with updates on markets, technology, standards, human resources and cooperation opportunities. With the participation of experts, international organizations, government agencies and businesses from Vietnam and abroad, the seminars created an additional platform for professional exchange alongside the exhibition’s product showcases and business networking activities.

VIETFISH 2026 Officially Opens: record scale, deeper connections across the global seafood value chain

 |  12:11 19/08/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the morning of August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 officially opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. With 568 booths representing 335 companies, alongside the presence of senior government officials, local authorities, diplomatic missions and international partners, VIETFISH 2026 kicks off three days of business networking, technology exchange and market engagement under the overarching theme “Innovation and Sustainability.”

Press Release: Vietfish 2026 Returns at Record Scale, Driving the “Green Transition” Toward the US$12 Billion Export Target

 |  10:01 17/08/2026

The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) officially announces that the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (Vietfish 2026) will take place from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City.

VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM

Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội

Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO

Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu

Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông

Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn

Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh

Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn

VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội

Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn

© Copyright 2020 - Mọi hình thức sao chép phải được sự chấp thuận bằng văn bản của VASEP

DANH MỤC