On 15/9, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien sent a letter to US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, urging the Department of Commerce (DOC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to reconsider their decision to deny comparability findings for 12 Vietnamese fishing practices under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).
This action is necessary to prevent significant disruptions to bilateral trade and protect the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese fishers and workers, according to the minister.
Minister Dien requested the US to conduct an objective review, ensuring a reasonable outcome in the 19th anti-dumping duty review on shrimp imports. He also affirmed that Vietnamese shrimp exporters are reliable partners who conduct business fairly in the US market.
Dien emphasized that these decisions will significantly impact Vietnamese producers, exporters, farmers, and fishers while also benefiting US importers, workers, and consumers.
Vietnam and the US currently maintain a comprehensive strategic partnership. The Ministry of Industry and Trade leader affirmed that Vietnam considers the US an important trading partner and is committed to providing the most favorable conditions for US businesses and investors operating in Vietnam.
"Vietnam is committed to continued cooperation with the US to resolve outstanding issues in a constructive and forward-looking manner," the minister stated.
Previously, the NOAA, under the DOC, notified Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of its refusal to recognize the comparability of 12 Vietnamese fishing practices under the MMPA.
Consequently, seafood caught using these fishing methods will be barred from entering the US starting 1/1. The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) stated that this measure is equivalent to an import ban, significantly impacting the export of Vietnam's key seafood products to the US, including tuna, swordfish, grouper, mackerel, mullet, crab, squid, and scad.
VASEP sent an official dispatch regarding this matter to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Advisory Council for Administrative Procedure Reform, the Directorate of Fisheries, and the Vietnam Fisheries Resources Surveillance.
The association noted that the Vietnamese seafood industry, along with the government and local authorities, has made efforts to modernize, enhance responsibility, and strengthen fisheries management. Specifically, the National Assembly enacted the 2017 Law on Fisheries, increasing resource allocation for local management. Vietnam also adheres to IUU, SIMP, and FIP programs for crab and tuna, implements "dolphin-safe" certification for the tuna export supply chain, and participates in various other frameworks and programs for marine mammal protection.
VASEP has requested the government and relevant ministries to implement immediate and long-term coordinated measures, providing support and working alongside the seafood industry to overcome challenges, remove obstacles, and open up the US market. This aims to protect the interests of domestic fishing and aquaculture businesses, minimizing the impact and preventing the risk of export suspension from 2026.
According to VASEP, in the first 6 months of the year, the US imported approximately 905 million USD worth of seafood from Vietnam, an increase of nearly 18% compared to the same period in 2024. The country's total seafood export value reached 4.4 billion USD, nearly 7% higher than the same period. Despite signs of recovery, this growth has not yet reached the peak of 2022.
Phuong Dung
