The Ministry of Industry and Trade urges the U.S. to assess seafood trade objectively

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), on September 10, 2025, VASEP issued Official Letter No. 156/CV-VASEP to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Advisory Council on Administrative Procedure Reform, and the Directorate of Fisheries and Fishery Surveillance regarding the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), United States Department of Commerce, refusing to recognize the equivalence of 12 Vietnamese fishing methods under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).

As a result, seafood caught using these methods will be banned from import into the United States starting January 1, 2026. This measure effectively amounts to an import ban and will significantly impact the export of key Vietnamese seafood products to the U.S., including tuna, swordfish, grouper, mackerel, pomfret, crab, squid, and mackerel species.

According to VASEP, in recent years, Vietnam’s seafood industry, together with the government and local authorities, has made sustained and significant efforts to modernize operations, enhance accountability, and strengthen fisheries management. These efforts include the National Assembly’s enactment of the 2017 Fisheries Law, increased allocation of resources to support local fisheries management, and continued compliance with international programs such as IUU (Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing), SIMP, and FIP for crab and tuna.

In addition, Vietnam has implemented the “Dolphin Safe” certification for the tuna export supply chain, along with various other legal frameworks and programs aimed at protecting marine mammals. These initiatives reflect a comprehensive and ongoing commitment by the country to meet international standards and ensure sustainable and responsible fishing practices.VASEP emphasized that, in light of NOAA’s recent decision, it is crucial to protect the interests of domestic seafood harvesting and aquaculture businesses.

The association recommended that the Vietnamese government, together with relevant ministries, urgently implement both short-term and long-term coordinated measures. Such measures should aim to support and accompany the seafood sector in overcoming challenges, addressing obstacles, and facilitating continued access to the U.S. market for Vietnamese seafood products. The goal is to minimize the negative impact of the decision and prevent the potential suspension of exports to the United States, which would take effect from January 1, 2026, thereby safeguarding the livelihoods of domestic producers and the sustainability of the sector.

On September 15, 2025, Vietnam’s Minister of Industry and Trade, Nguyen Hong Dien, sent an official letter to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, urging the DOC and NOAA to reconsider their recent decision. The minister emphasized that revisiting the decision is crucial to prevent serious disruptions to bilateral trade and to protect the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese fishermen and workers.

In the letter, Minister Nguyen also requested that Secretary Lutnick pay careful attention and conduct an objective and fair assessment to ensure reasonable outcomes for Vietnamese shrimp exporters. These exporters are recognized as reliable and trustworthy partners, conducting business fairly in the U.S. market. The appeal comes in the context of the ongoing 19th administrative review of anti-dumping duties on shrimp imported from Vietnam.

In his letter, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien further emphasized that these decisions carry significant implications not only for Vietnamese producers, exporters, farmers, and fishermen but also for U.S. importers, workers, and consumers who rely on a stable and reliable supply of seafood products.

The United States and Vietnam continue to maintain a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership founded on mutual trust, respect, and shared benefits. Vietnam regards the U.S. as a key trade partner and is committed to providing the most favorable conditions for U.S. businesses and investors operating in the country. At the same time, Vietnam pledges to cooperate closely with the United States to resolve outstanding issues in a constructive and solution-oriented manner, aiming to strengthen bilateral trade relations and foster long-term, sustainable cooperation for the future.