Podcast Summary: The Indicator from Planet Money
Episode Title: Why do shrimpers like tariffs?
Host: Adrian Ma, NPR
Release Date: May 7, 2025
Introduction to the Shrimping Industry Decline
The episode opens with host Adrian Ma highlighting a pressing issue facing American shrimpers: the decline in their numbers due to competition from cheap imported shrimp. Steven Besaha joins Ma to explore why tariffs, typically seen as harmful to the economy, are celebrated by shrimpers.
The Shrimping Crisis: Declining Numbers and Economic Pressures
Decline in Shrimpers: American shrimp consumption remains high, with each person eating approximately six pounds of shrimp annually. Despite this demand, the number of shrimpers has plummeted from nearly 7,000 in Louisiana 25 years ago to fewer than 1,500 today.
“Americans eat a lot of shrimp, about six pounds per person each year. That is literally hundreds of shrimp a person.”
— Adrian Ma [01:17]
Impact of Imported Shrimp: The significant drop in domestic shrimpers is primarily attributed to the influx of cheap shrimp from countries like Ecuador, India, and Vietnam. These imports have made it economically unsustainable for U.S. shrimpers to compete.
“US Shrimpers say they just can't afford to compete, which is why a lot of those shrimpers are huge fans of tariffs.”
— Adrian Ma [01:52]
Personal Stories: The Human Side of Shrimping
A.C. Cooper’s Story: A.C. Cooper, a fourth-generation shrimper from Louisiana, shares his personal connection to the industry. Shrimping is depicted as a family legacy, deeply ingrained in his life.
“I've been shrimping for four generations, and I actually raised my own kids on my baby blue boat, the Lacy K.”
— A.C. Cooper [04:17]
Decline Witnessed: Cooper laments the dwindling number of active shrimp boats, reminiscing about busier times with numerous boats and a thriving community.
“But today we on our end of the pier, right where it starts, there used to be many boats... now there's only two boats tied up on the other side of me.”
— A.C. Cooper [05:02]
Tariffs: A Double-Edged Sword
Support for Tariffs: Shrimpers like Cooper strongly support tariffs imposed on imported shrimp, viewing them as essential for protecting their livelihoods. The recent executive orders by President Trump to implement additional tariffs have been met with enthusiasm.
“We definitely support him. There's no doubt we support him 100% on this issue.”
— A.C. Cooper [05:43]
Economic Opposition to Tariffs: Contrastingly, Martin Smith, a seafood economist at Duke University, opposes tariffs, arguing they are detrimental to the broader economy and public health. Smith highlights that tariffs would increase shrimp prices, reducing consumption and negatively impacting American diets.
“Tariffs are just the wrong way to go about it.”
— Martin Smith [07:01]
Health Implications: Smith emphasizes the importance of affordable shrimp in the American diet, noting that seafood is a vital source of protein that can reduce the risk of heart disease.
“Seafood is a rich source of protein that can reduce the risk of heart disease, and Americans should be eating more of it.”
— Martin Smith [07:13]
Economic Trade-offs: Free Trade vs. Protectionism
The discussion delves into the fundamental economic debate between free trade and protectionism. Shrimpers argue that tariffs are necessary to shield American workers, while economists like Smith contend that protectionism leads to higher consumer prices and reduced dietary benefits.
“There are winners and losers when you do these sorts of things.”
— Martin Smith [09:20]
World Bank's Role: American shrimpers criticize international development efforts, such as those by the World Bank, for subsidizing foreign shrimp farming. They argue that these initiatives create unfair competition for domestic shrimpers.
“American shrimpers say their own country is supporting the very foreign competition they're struggling against.”
— Steven Besaha [08:46]
Personal and Community Impact
Family and Financial Struggles: The personal toll of the shrimping industry's decline is illustrated by Cooper’s story of his son leaving the business due to financial unsustainability.
“One of my sons had to leave the business because I could no longer support his family financially.”
— Adrian Ma [10:50]
Long-Term Solutions: Cooper advocates for a long-term fix through capping shrimp imports to prevent foreign competitors from overwhelming American shrimpers.
“Don't let them bring in shrimp where they overwhelm us... We gotta find something else. We're gonna stand up for what we believe in.”
— A.C. Cooper [10:29]
Conclusion: Navigating the Future of Shrimping
The episode concludes by highlighting the ongoing struggle of American shrimpers who are caught between maintaining affordable seafood for consumers and protecting their own livelihoods. The differing perspectives of shrimpers and economists underscore the complex trade-offs inherent in trade policies.
Notable Production Credits:
- Produced by: Lily Quiros with help from Drew Hawkins
- Engineered by: Maggie Luthar
- Fact-Checked by: Sierra Juarez
- Edited by: Cake and Cannon
- Production of: The Indicator, NPR
Disclaimer: This summary captures the key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions from the podcast episode "Why do shrimpers like tariffs?" by The Indicator from Planet Money, hosted by Adrian Ma. For full details and nuanced arguments, listening to the original episode is recommended.