Indonesian Shrimp Farmers: US Tariffs Are Too High, Will Strive to Enter the Vast Chinese Market
Far from Washington, the capital of the United States, 16,000 kilometers away on Java Island in Indonesia, President Trump's tariff policies are profoundly changing local industries that rely on exports to the US. According to a report by Reuters on August 6, the US is the largest buyer of Indonesian shrimp products, but Trump's tariffs have severely hit Indonesian exports, prompting many Indonesian shrimp farmers to turn their eyes toward China.
Denny Leonardo, an Indonesian shrimp farmer, operates 150 breeding ponds in the southwest of Java Island. He had planned to expand his breeding scale this year and add about 100 more ponds. However, after Trump threatened to impose tariffs in April, orders from the US dropped significantly, forcing him to reconsider his plans.
The 19% tariff agreement reached between the US and Indonesia in July will take effect this week. Although this number is lower than the initial 32% proposed by Trump, it still has a significant impact on Indonesia's shrimp industry that relies on the US market.
The US is Indonesia's largest market for shrimp, purchasing 60% of the country's shrimp exports worth $1.68 billion last year. Andi Tamsil, chairman of the Indonesian Shrimp Farmers Association, estimates that the 19% tariff could lead to a 30% drop in total exports this year, threatening the livelihoods of 1 million people in Indonesia.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1839703547788355/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.