President Donald Trump’s new tariffs have thrown a lifeline to South Carolina’s struggling shrimpers. For years, cheap imported shrimp flooded U.S. markets, driving down prices and pushing local fishermen toward bankruptcy. Now, tariffs on foreign goods aim to level the playing field. Shrimpers like Craig Reaves say this move could save their industry.
The U.S. shrimp industry has been in free fall. Imports make up 94% of shrimp sold here, often priced far below what American shrimpers can match. Countries like India and Ecuador use subsidies and low labor costs to undercut U.S. catches. “We’ve been getting 1980s prices for shrimp but paying 2025 costs to stay afloat,” Reaves explains. Many families have fished these waters for generations, but thousands have quit as profits vanished.
Trump’s tariffs slap a 10% tax on all imports, with higher rates for nations that unfairly dump cheap products. This forces foreign shrimp to compete fairly. “These tariffs are our last hope,” says Reaves, who runs Sea Eagle Market in Beaufort. The Southern Shrimp Alliance, a trade group, calls the move vital for preserving jobs and food security.
Conservatives argue this policy finally puts America first. For too long, global trade deals prioritized foreign interests over U.S. workers. Trump’s tariffs reverse that, defending hardworking families instead of foreign corporations. “This isn’t about politics—it’s about survival,” Reaves says. The tariffs also push back against countries that exploit lax trade rules to dominate U.S. markets.
Not everyone wins. Boat parts from Brazil face higher costs, squeezing shrimpers who rely on imported engines. Still, most agree the trade-off is worth it. “If we lose our shrimping industry, we lose part of our soul,” Reaves adds. Coastal towns depend on these fishing families to sustain local culture and tourism. Visitors flock to the Lowcountry for fresh shrimp boils and waterfront docks.
Fraud adds to the crisis. DNA tests show many restaurants sell imported shrimp as “local catch.” This scams tourists and harms honest shrimpers. Reaves’ Community Supported Fishery program fights back by connecting consumers directly to local boats. “Buying American shrimp supports real families,” he says.
Despite challenges, optimism is rising. The tariffs take effect just before shrimp season kicks off April 27th. Fishermen hope higher prices will let them reinvest in their boats and crews. “We can’t thank President Trump enough,” Reaves says. For coastal communities, this isn’t just policy—it’s a new dawn for a vanishing way of life.
The fight isn’t over, but Trump’s tariffs have given shrimpers a fighting chance. By prioritizing American workers, the administration has shown that fair trade isn’t just possible—it’s essential. As Reaves puts it, “We’re not asking for handouts. We just want a fair shot to keep feeding our country.”
