In honor of National Seafood Month, the White House unveiled the historic America First Seafood Strategy, outlining a whole-of-government approach to revitalize the U.S. fishing industry by removing foreign trade barriers and unlocking new markets for U.S. fishermen.
Under President Trump's leadership, U.S. seafood exports reached $5.53 billion in 2025, increasing 12% compared to 2024, and many of our trading partners have committed to remove trade barriers that undercut our global competitiveness. U.S. seafood exports are continuing to trend upwards in 2026.
Reeling in the Wins
The Trump Administration continues to secure new and enforce existing commitments from key trading partners to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, prevent forced labor on the high seas, and address harmful fisheries subsidies and other practices that distort markets and decimate the U.S. seafood industry.
Foreign Trade Practices Put American Fishermen on the Hook
The United States is a global leader in responsibly managed fisheries and sustainable seafood — U.S. fisheries are scientifically monitored and legally enforced under 10 national standards of sustainability. Illegally caught and heavily subsidized foreign seafood, including seafood caught using forced labor on fishing vessels, are undercutting American fishermen that play by the rules.
Every year, global losses from IUU fishing reach an estimated $50 billion with U.S. industry absorbing a major portion of that financial burden. In the America First Seafood Strategy, USTR spotlighted foreign trade barriers and distortive subsidies that continue to limit opportunities for U.S. seafood producers in key export markets.
Putting American Fishermen First
President Trump's trade policies will continue to expand market access for the 8.4 billion pounds of U.S. caught seafood each year and protect the 1.7 million jobs supported by America's seafood industry.
