Therefore, Vietnam’s seafood trade with the US is minimally impacted by political fluctuations, such as the US presidential election results, even though the election outcomes can cause disruptions in global trade. However, if Donald Trump is re-elected, his specific trade policies could present both opportunities and challenges for Vietnamese seafood exports in the coming period.
In the U.S.-China trade conflict, there could be major shifts in U.S. supply chains and imports. The U.S. may reduce its seafood imports from China and look for other suppliers, including Vietnam.
Vietnam’s main seafood exports to the U.S. are shrimp and pangasius, and higher U.S. tariffs on Chinese seafood could create big chances for Vietnamese shrimp and pangasius to replace Chinese products. This change would boost Vietnam’s seafood exports to the U.S. market. Additionally, if China reduces seafood imports from the U.S., it might start importing more seafood from Vietnam instead.
As the trade war intensifies, global supply chains may be disrupted, creating an opportunity for Vietnam to become a reliable alternative supplier for countries seeking to avoid high U.S. tariffs, especially for seafood products. Thus, Vietnam could be chosen as a substitute supplier in the global supply chain.
However, to fully seize these opportunities, Vietnamese seafood businesses need to maintain high product quality, increase value-added processing, and leverage free trade agreements (FTAs) to expand their market reach and enhance their competitiveness.
While Vietnam may benefit from some opportunities arising from the U.S.-China trade war, Vietnamese seafood businesses also face U.S. trade defense measures. These may include anti-dumping duties, countervailing duties, and strict product quality requirements.
Even though anti-dumping duties on shrimp and pangasius and countervailing duties on Vietnamese shrimp exported to the U.S. are expected to be more favorable in 2024, businesses still need to be cautious and strategic when exporting to this market. The U.S. government, especially under Trump, strengthened protective measures related to food safety and quality standards. This could make it challenging for Vietnamese seafood exporters to meet stricter food safety requirements, leading to higher production and inspection costs.
Additionally, U.S. protectionist policies and tariff barriers could increase competition for Vietnam from other major seafood-exporting countries like India, Ecuador, and Indonesia, which are strong competitors in the seafood industry.
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By the end of October 2024, Vietnam's seafood exports to the U.S. reached $1.5 billion, a 15% increase compared to the same period last year. It is estimated that for the full year 2024, seafood exports to the U.S. will bring in $1.85 billion, a 19% increase over 2023. |
To enhance seafood exports to the U.S. in a changing trade environment, Vietnamese seafood companies need to be proactive and flexible in adapting to market shifts.
Seafood exports must fully meet U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) rules, including hygiene, food safety, and disease prevention standards. Companies should also maintain sustainable production and strict quality control from farming to processing to meet the growing standards of the U.S. market.
American consumers are increasingly interested in sustainability, environmental protection, and social responsibility. To meet these expectations, Vietnamese seafood companies should adopt sustainable farming practices, like eco-friendly shrimp farming, and follow international standards (GlobalGAP, ASC, MSC) to enhance their reputation and meet the rising expectations of the market.
Businesses should provide transparent information on production processes, raw material origins, and quality standards. This will help build trust with U.S. consumers and partners and meet the needs of distributors, supermarkets, and major retail chains in the U.S.
Vietnamese seafood companies need to boost their competitiveness, develop effective production and business strategies, and offer products at reasonable and transparent prices. At the same time, companies should have rapid response plans for changes in U.S. tariffs and trade measures.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Brazil became the largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, with export value reaching US$44 million, up 22,142% year-on-year and accounting for 49% of Vietnam’s total tilapia exports. In August alone, exports to Brazil reached US$4 million. However, behind this remarkable growth is a market that is imposing increasingly stringent requirements on imported supplies.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports sustained their upward trajectory in August 2026, though the pace remained modest at just 2%. The month saw divergent trends across key markets: the US maintained its leading position, Japan and Canada improved, Russia surged and the EU continued to experience a steep downturn. These developments suggest that exporters are entering the final months of the year amid a market environment marked by greater uncertainty.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Congalsa has acquired the entire charter capital of Lenger Seafood Vietnam, giving it full ownership of the business and its Nam Dinh processing facility.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ninh Binh Province is entering a peak period of action against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, focusing on thoroughly addressing violations, closely monitoring fishing vessels at ports and preventing vessels from violating regulations and operating illegally in foreign waters ahead of the European Commission’s (EC) upcoming inspection in 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) The application of biotechnology in seed production is increasingly viewed as a strategic imperative to upgrade pangasius fingerling quality, optimize farming efficiency and anchor sustainable industry development.
(vasep.com.vn) On September 15, 2026, in Can Tho, VASEP and ASC jointly organized a training course titled “New ASC standards: updates and practical implementation guidance for farms, businesses and aquafeed mills”. Beyond briefing stakeholders on updated ASC requirements for aquaculture facilities and feed production, the workshop dedicated substantial floor time to directly addressing on-the-ground compliance bottlenecks encountered by Vietnamese enterprises.
(searfood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports continued to post positive results in the first eight months of 2026, with total export value reaching US$90 million, up 43% year-on-year. However, exports in August alone stood at US$11 million, down 8%, reflecting uneven market developments. Brazil remained the leading market, while Japan recorded notable growth, opening up new opportunities for Vietnamese tilapia products.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.3 billion in the first eight months of 2026, up 12% year on year. However, growth has begun to slow and become more differentiated across markets, while the U.S. and EU continue to present significant challenges. The latest insights from the Global Shrimp Forum 2026 (GSF 2026), held in early September, also indicate that the final months of the year will remain highly competitive as global supply continues to expand and buyers increasingly focus on quality, product specifications, supply stability and the ability to meet market-specific demand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In August 2026, Vietnam’s seafood exports reached $1.14 billion, up 6% year on year. Cumulative eight-month exports rose 11.8% to $8.00 billion, though momentum has cooled compared to the 12.8% growth seen through July. China - Hong Kong and ASEAN are offsetting weakness in the U.S, EU and partly Japan. This divergence will likely widen in Q4 as trade tariffs and traceability requirements directly weigh on new orders.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam–Russia relations are entering a new phase of cooperation, with a focus on expanding trade, investment and economic connectivity. Against this backdrop, tuna is emerging as one of the seafood products with significant growth potential in the Russian market. Export data for the first seven months of 2026 show strong growth in Vietnamese tuna exports to Russia. However, turning this momentum into sustainable market share will require businesses to address challenges related to logistics, payment and supply competition.
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