Trump Tariffs: Live Lobster Taxed, Frozen Escapes; Fish and Crustacean List Released
The U.S. has imposed a 25% tariff on certain Brazilian seafood products, with the new tariff taking effect on Tuesday, May 22nd. This action follows an investigation by the Donald Trump administration, which concluded that Brazil employs trade-restrictive practices, citing examples like the PIX payment system and digital platform regulations. The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Brazil released a comprehensive list detailing which fish and crustacean products are subject to the tariff and which are exempt.
Products exempt from the new tariff account for 89.2% of the value of Brazilian seafood exports to the U.S. in 2025. This exemption list includes major export items such as tilapia, tuna, swordfish, and notably, frozen lobster. Other exempted items include various fresh or refrigerated fish like albacore, mackerel, and swordfish, as well as frozen whole tilapia, tilapia fillets, and a range of other frozen fish and crustaceans.
Conversely, products subject to the 25% tariff include fish meal and pellets unfit for human consumption, specific fish from certain families, frozen tilapia fillets, other frozen fish fillets, and various fresh, chilled, or frozen fish meats. Significantly, live lobsters, whether fresh or refrigerated, are also taxed, alongside certain algae products intended for human consumption and other processed algae.
The U.S. tariff imposition on specific Brazilian seafood products, while exempting others like frozen lobster, highlights a targeted trade policy. The stated rationale, citing Brazilian trade practices, suggests a broader strategy to address perceived market access issues. This differentiated tariff approach could incentivize Brazilian producers to shift towards exempted product categories, potentially altering export dynamics and domestic production priorities. Over the next decade, such trade actions may influence global supply chains, encouraging diversification and potentially leading to retaliatory measures or renegotiations of trade agreements as nations adapt to evolving market access conditions.
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