Press release [July 7, 2004]

7-2057-5215

House Information Office Room 505, Legislative Office Building
Atlanta, Georgia 30334 404-656-5082 1-800-282-5800
July 7, 2004

For Immediate Release:

Representative Williams Lauds Proposed Punitive Tariffs On Shrimp Imports

Atlanta Representative Al Williams (D-Midway) applauds a recent decision by the U.S. Commerce Department to propose tariffs ranging from 8 percent to 113 percent on shrimp imports on the two Asian nations of China and Vietnam. Those in support claim the countries have been dumping their product in the U.S. market at unfair prices.

Rep. Williams said, "These tariffs are overdue because for too long we have watched the destruction of the shrimping industry in Georgia with no action. I think we will see a resurgence as we finally put tariffs on the countries of China and Vietnam and hopefully soon to follow will be Honduras, India, Pakistan, Thailand and Brazil."

"I find it ironic that we have more stringent restrictions on Cuba, a country that doesn't have the ability to fire a sling shot at us but we have allowed countries such as Vietnam, where 58,000 Americans died, and China, who has desire to destroy the rest of the free world, to have favored trade status," said Williams.

"Because there are so few shrimpers, it has been it has been so easy to reach out and snatch away the ability of these folks to make a living," continued Williams. "Finally a light at the end of the tunnel. Elaine Knight of the Southern Shrimp Alliance needs to be commended for all of her hard work."
# # # For further information contact Rep. Williams @ 912-261-0004 (in Brunswick)
Or 912-368-4983 (in Hinesville)