China and the U.S. to Hold Talks: Will Seafood Trade Recover?
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China and the U.S. to Hold Talks: Will Seafood Trade Recover?
After several consecutive rounds of high-tariff exchanges, the economic and trade war between China and the U.S. finally seems to have reached an opportunity for a cooldown. On May 7, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce officially responded that, in response to the U.S. side's proactively expressed willingness to communicate, China has decided to agree to hold talks with the U.S. on tariffs and other issues. Vice Premier of the State Council He Lifeng will visit Switzerland from May 9 to 12 and hold high-level economic and trade meetings with U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent.
For Chinese seafood exporters that have weathered three rounds of blows from cumulative tariff rates as high as 145% or even higher, this is undoubtedly an important turning point worth watching.
Seafood Trade Becomes a "Sacrifice," Companies Struggle On Awaiting Change
Since the Trump administration implemented "reciprocal tariffs," core Chinese seafood products exported to the U.S., such as tilapia, channel catfish, salmon and shrimp, have almost all been placed on high-tariff lists, with combined tax rates exceeding 145%. Large numbers of orders have been frozen, corporate profits have been squeezed to the limit, seafood processing plants have been forced to suspend operations and cut production, many exporters are "holding orders and watching," and a number of companies have chosen to withdraw from the U.S. market.
Although the U.S. side briefly indicated in April that it would suspend high tariffs on some countries, its policy toward China has not been relaxed, leaving seafood, as one of the hardest-hit areas of exports to the U.S., still without a real "recovery window."
U.S. Proactively Seeks Talks; China "Hears Its Words and Watches Its Actions"
In the response, the Ministry of Commerce spokesperson emphasized that this meeting was decided on the basis of China's "full consideration of global expectations, China's interests, and the calls of U.S. industries and consumers."
He pointed out that the U.S. side needs to recognize the destructive impact of its unilateral tariff measures on its own and global trade, and that if it truly intends to negotiate, it should show sincerity, "correct its erroneous practices, and move in the same direction as China." If it "says one thing and does another," or intends to continue coercing and pressuring, China will never accept it, still less trade principles for a short-term agreement.
Although firm in wording, these remarks also leave room and send a positive signal that China is willing to "talk"—as long as the premise is equality and mutual benefit and respect for rules.
Recovery of Seafood Trade Still Requires "Watching Progress"
Does this restart of China-U.S. talks mean seafood trade will immediately "return to normal"? The answer still requires time to verify.
Experts point out that high tariffs were not introduced all at once but form a complex structure built up "level by level," making full cancellation difficult in the short term; a "phased removal" approach is more likely, prioritizing goods related to people's livelihood and those that hit domestic companies hardest, such as agricultural products and seafood.
According to data from the General Administration of Customs of China, China's seafood exports to the U.S. in 2024 were about 2.2 billion U.S. dollars, and the U.S. is China's second-largest market for seafood exports. Restoring normal trade is an urgent need for both China and the U.S.
Final Notes: Opportunities Emerge, but a Calm Response Is Still Needed
The restart of high-level China-U.S. economic and trade talks has brought a glimmer of turnaround for China's seafood exports to the U.S., which have been in a frozen period. But a true "thaw" still needs to be built on substantive negotiation results.
From "zero orders" to "restarting shipments," from "watching and suspending orders" to "buyers willing to bear tariffs," the market has already shown the advantage of an "irreplaceable Chinese supply chain." Now, if the policy level can gradually improve, the seafood industry may be the first to feel the warmth of spring.
However, as the Ministry of Commerce spokesperson said: "Hear its words, and even more, watch its actions." For export companies, while looking forward to a turnaround, they still need to prepare for both scenarios and ensure steady progress amid uncertainty.
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