Sun Apr 06 15:20:03 UTC 2025: ## Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Urges Central Government to Intervene in US Shrimp Tariff Dispute

**Vijayawada, April 6, 2025** – Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has appealed to the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, to address the significant losses faced by the state’s aquaculture sector due to a new 27% US import tariff on Indian shrimp.

In a letter dated April 6th, Mr. Naidu highlighted the crucial role of the fisheries sector in Andhra Pradesh’s GDP and the devastating impact of the tariff hike, which came into effect on April 5th. He pointed out that shrimp accounts for 92% of India’s US$2.55 billion marine food exports to the US in 2023-24. This new tariff, coupled with an existing 5.77% Countervailing Duty (CVD), creates a nearly 20% duty gap compared to competitors like Ecuador, which faces only a 10% tariff.

The situation is further complicated by high inspection rates and non-tariff barriers in the European Union, where countries with Free Trade Agreements, such as Vietnam, enjoy zero-duty access, giving them a significant competitive advantage. Mr. Naidu noted that even countries like Vietnam, Thailand, and Japan, which previously purchased Indian seafood for processing and re-export, are now canceling orders due to the high US tariffs on the final product.

The Chief Minister urged immediate intervention, requesting the central government to negotiate with the US to exempt shrimp from the tariffs. He emphasized the livelihoods of lakhs of people dependent on the aquaculture industry are at stake. The new tariffs affect not only future exports but also products already harvested and awaiting shipment, adding further pressure to the sector.

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