Alabama shrimpers lose fight for higher taxes on foreign seafood

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Shrimp processors have lost a call for higher duties on frozen shrimp imported from five countries — China, Vietnam, Ecuador, India and Malaysia. The U.S. International Trade Commission rejected the proposal 4-2 Friday, saying the Coalition of Gulf Shrimp Industries failed to present strong evidence that the imports were seriously damaging the processors. A tie would have required the higher tariff. Coalition attorneys say the group will decide whether to appeal after the commission files a report explaining its ruling. An appeal would go to the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York. The Southern Shrimp Alliance blamed the coalition, saying its arguments largely left out shrimpers, and lost their support. The coalition represents shrimp processors in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and Texas.