Bridges Trade BioRes • Volume 4 • Number 3 • 20th February 2004

Go Ahead for US Action Against Asian Shrimp

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On 16 February the US International Trade Commission gave the go ahead for imposing anti-dumping duties on shrimp products from Brazil, China, Ecuador, India, Thailand and Vietnam (see BRIDGES Trade BioRes, 22 January 2004). The panel decided unanimously that lower-priced aquaculture shrimp posed unfair competition to the US shrimp industry — which mainly harvests wild shrimp — as it is sold at lower prices on the US market compared to other markets. The decision enables the US Commerce Department to impose preliminary duties on frozen and canned shrimp from the Asian and Latin American countries in early June. The Asian countries were disappointed with the decision arguing that shrimp aquaculture in Asia is plainly cheaper than the US wild harvested shrimp production. The US Commerce Department has to find additional evidence — until August when the panel votes again — in order to impose the high anti-dumping duties requested from the US alliance of shrimp producers. The current decision is the first of four decisions that need to be taken before the US can impose tariffs on the shrimp products; the final decision will be taken by the International Trade Committee. However, the Asian countries have declared that they would argue their case. “We are all geared to fight the case and industry has already hired lawyers for this,” said S N Menon, an official from the Indian federal commerce ministry.

“US Panel Clears Way For Anti-dumping Duty On Shrimp,” REUTERS, 20 February 2004; “India says US shrimp trade ruling unfair,” AP, 19 February 2004.

“Malaysia lashes out at Indonesia,” US activists in illegal timber row, VANGUARD ONLINE, 16 February 2004; “US Groups Demand Sanctions for Illegal Timber Trade,” IPS NEWS AGENCY, 5 February 2004; “Malaysia Denies Illegal Timber Trade Claims,” PLANETARK NEWS, 16 February 2004.