Saving Seafood

Trump reportedly considering delay on China tariffs, EU considering “nuclear option” on trade

July 22, 2025 — The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly considering an extension on a trade deadline with China that would see higher tariffs on goods as of 12 August if a deal is not reached.

The U.S. and China both agreed to a 90-day pause on high tariffs in May after a series of escalations by the Trump administration ended up with tariffs as high as 145 percent on goods from China. China, in response, imposed tariffs of its own, reaching as high as 125 percent on U.S. goods.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

US tariff announcement fuels uncertainty, boosts diversification push in Indonesia’s seafood industry

July 21, 2025 — Indonesia’s seafood industry is grappling with uncertainty following a new reciprocal tariff announced by U.S. President Donald Trump – a move likely to accelerate the country’s ongoing efforts to diversify its export markets and reduce reliance on the U.S.

On 16 July, Trump announced that the U.S. will impose a 19-percent tariff on Indonesian goods starting 1 August, a reduction from the 32-percent rate initially floated on 2 April. The announcement – made via Trump’s social media platform Truth Social – was later confirmed by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

USTR launching Section 301 investigation on Brazil days after Trump threatened high tariffs Chris Chase Chris Chase

July 18, 2025 — The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has launched Section 301 investigation against what it said are potentially unfair trade practices used by Brazil, just days after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened 50 percent tariffs on the country over claims it was treating former President Jair Bolsonaro unfairly.

According to a release from the USTR, the investigation will focus on a range of topics, including digital trade and electronic payment services; unfair, preferential tariffs; anti-corruption interference; intellectual property protection; ethanol market access; and illegal deforestation and whether those acts “are unreasonable or discriminatory and burden or restrict U.S. commerce.”

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Walmart makes more layoffs as operators worry about tariffs’ impact

July 18, 2025 — The U.S. grocery industry and seafood suppliers continued to struggle with economic challenges, as Walmart is reportedly cutting hundreds of store-support corporate employees and Kroger consolidates its Texas operations.

U.S. grocery prices rose in June, and around 80 percent of retailers and grocery suppliers believe that trade policies and tariffs will continue to impact pricing and disrupt supply chains, according to FMI – The Food Industry Association’s new report, The Food Retailing Industry Speaks 2025. The report also found foodservice operators are similarly worried about higher food costs and tariffs.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Trump announces tariff deal with Indonesia

July 16, 2025 — U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a tariff deal with Indonesia that will set tariffs for the Southeast Asian nation at 19 percent.

The new deal reduces tariffs from the planned 32 percent initially announced in April 2025. Trump announced the deal on his social media website Truth Social, and it was later confirmed by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. The new rate will go into effect on 1 August.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

“We are going to be hitting Covid-level prices soon” – US crab importer warns of tariff-driven cost increases

July 15, 2025 — Though container prices between Asia and the U.S. are down slightly from the highs importers saw in May and June, continued economic uncertainty is likely to drive price increases among some seafood species, Supreme Crab CEO Troy Turkin told SeafoodSource.

“It’s a new world,” Turkin said, describing fast-moving policy evolutions he’s seeing that are affecting his business, which specializes in luxury imports like blue and red swimming crabs and frozen tuna, among other products.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Trump adds EU, Mexico to list of trading partners threatened with 30 percent tariffs

July 14, 2025 — U.S. President Donald Trump has added the European Union and Mexico to the list of trading partners the U.S. is threatening with 30 percent tariffs as of 1 August.

Trump sent letters to both Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen threatening tariffs as of 1 August – with differing reasons for implementation.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Trump threatens Canada with 35 percent tariffs, but exceptions could benefit seafood

July 11, 2025 — U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened Canada – the U.S.’s largest seafood trading partner – with 35 percent tariffs, but an official later confirmed the higher rate may not apply to most seafood.

In a letter sent to Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney, Trump once again claimed the “Nation’s Fentanyl crisis” is motivation for the tariffs and blamed Canada’s “failure to stop the drugs from pouring into our Country” for the new threats.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Trump plans tariff pause, threatens higher tariffs on BRICS countries, South Korea, and Japan

July 7, 2025 — U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to add an additional 10 percent tariff to any country aligned with BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) and then later threatened 25 percent tariffs as of 1 August on China, South Korea, and Japan, just before the White house announced his intention to extend the “liberation day” tariff pause to 1 August.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told media on 7 July that Trump was planning to sign an order to extend the pause on the steepest tariffs until 1 August. She also said Trump was planning to send letters to other countries about the new rates they would face if they did not negotiate new deals with the U.S.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick vows to support Maine lobster, suggests industry will be exempt from tariffs on Canada

June 9, 2025 — U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick vowed to protect and support Maine lobster during a hearing on his department’s budget plans, while suggesting that Maine lobster processed in Canada would likely be unaffected by new tariffs.

“This administration views the Maine lobster industry as an American treasure, and we need to protect it,” Lutnick told lawmakers during a 4 June budget hearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource