The Ecuadorian shrimp industry is currently in a state of anticipation following the United States government's announcement of a 15% global tariff on shrimp imports. This decision came after a Supreme Court ruling declared previous tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump as illegal. The announcement indicated that the tariff hike would take effect immediately, creating uncertainty for local producers who rely heavily on exports to the U.S.

Jose Antonio Camposano, the Executive President of the National Aquaculture Chamber (CNA), expressed the industry's concern, noting that they are waiting for formal instructions from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to determine which specific subcategories of shrimp would be affected and the exact implementation date of the new tariff. This lack of clarity makes it difficult for Ecuadorian producers to respond effectively to the changes in the trade landscape, potentially impacting their economic stability and planning.

Minister of Production, Foreign Trade, and Investments, Luis Alberto Jaramillo, echoed these sentiments, indicating that clarity on the effective date of the 15% tariff can only come once the executive order is formalized. The shrimp sector in Ecuador plays a crucial role in the economy, and any prolonged uncertainty regarding tariffs could have significant implications for the livelihood of many local producers and the overall export dynamics of the nation.