Trump unveils America First Seafood Strategy.
President Donald Trump has signed a new executive order aimed at restoring the competitiveness of the US seafood industry, with direct implications for domestic aquaculture operations, including salmon farming.
The order, issued on 17 April 2025, calls for sweeping regulatory reforms, expanded domestic production, a tougher stance on foreign trade practices, and the development of an “America First Seafood Strategy.” It builds on Executive Order 13921, originally signed in 2020 during Trump’s previous term, and is framed as a response to what he describes as “overregulation” and an “unfair playing field” for US seafood producers.
“Nearly 90 percent of seafood on our shelves is now imported,” the order states, highlighting a seafood trade deficit of over $20 billion. The directive calls on federal agencies to “eliminate unsafe imports,” “reduce regulatory burdens,” and promote “ethical sourcing” and domestic processing.
Aquaculture in focus
The order has particular significance for the aquaculture sector. It directs the Secretary of Commerce to identify the most heavily regulated fisheries, including farmed species, and take action to reduce compliance costs. The order also mandates a review of recent expansions to the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP), with a view to focusing enforcement on high-risk shipments from countries engaged in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is tasked with expanding exempted fishing permits and incorporating more cost-effective technologies and cooperative research into stock assessments — steps that could lower regulatory costs for salmon farming and related aquaculture industries.
The order also calls for a review of marine national monuments to evaluate whether any areas could be reopened to commercial fishing, a move that could expand available zones for domestic seafood production, though it is likely to be controversial among conservation groups.
Trade and international competition
The US Trade Representative is instructed to assess trade practices of major seafood-exporting nations and explore enforcement options under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. Countries cited for IUU fishing or the use of forced labour in their seafood supply chains may face retaliatory measures.
This provision could have implications for foreign salmon producers, particularly exporters to the US market. Several major salmon farming nations — including Chile, Norway, and Scotland — have already been affected by new US tariffs imposed earlier in 2025, which set duties of 10 percent on imported salmon.
The Department of Commerce, Department of Agriculture, and the US Trade Representative are expected to deliver a comprehensive seafood trade strategy within 60 days.