Opportunities and challenges for tuna exports after the 2024 US Presidential election result

News 08:53 26/11/2024
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of November 6th, Vietnam time, U.S. media announced the preliminary vote count showing that Donald Trump won the 2024 U.S. presidential election. His victory is expected to bring significant changes in taxes, trade, investment, and more. As a result, Vietnam's tuna exports will also be affected.

What opportunities exist for Vietnam tuna?

Currently, the U.S. is the largest market for tuna exports, accounting for over 38% of Vietnam's total tuna export value. Vietnam's tuna exports to this market have been steadily increasing over the past 10 years, rising from $175 million in 2014 to nearly $327 million in 2023, almost doubling.

In 2023, due to the impact of inflation, Vietnam's tuna exports to the U.S. dropped by 33% compared to 2022. However, in 2024, exports to this market have been steadily increasing. While the growth rate slowed down in the last months of the year, the export value remains higher compared to the same period in the past two years.

During his first term, Donald Trump implemented high tariffs on imported tuna products from China, causing U.S. importers to shift their focus to Vietnam. This helped Vietnam increase its market share in the U.S. tuna market in recent years.

In his second term, Trump proposed imposing tariffs of 10-20% on imports from other countries, with China facing up to 60%. This presents an opportunity for Vietnamese seafood products, including tuna, to increase exports to the U.S.

Opportunities come with challenges

In his second term, Trump has made reducing the trade deficit a priority, meaning the U.S. will closely monitor the origin of products. Therefore, Vietnam will face new trade defense measures from the U.S., including stricter controls on imported seafood and quality standards.

Moreover, many experts predict that, due to its geographical proximity to China, Vietnam could be seen as a gateway for Chinese goods entering the U.S. The U.S. government might try to block this loophole and impose tariffs on goods from Vietnam. As a result, Vietnam's seafood industry, including tuna, may face challenges if demand from the U.S. decreases due to high tariffs making imports too expensive.

Additionally, if losing the U.S. market, Chinese tuna exporters may look to shift their focus to other markets like the EU and the Middle East.

Specifically, after Chinese tuna products were hit with high tariffs during Trump's first term, Chinese producers shifted their exports to the EU market. This has increased competition in those markets.

us presidential election tuna exports vietnam tuna chinese tuna

TIN MỚI CẬP NHẬT

Can Tho’s fisheries sector records 6.26% growth in 2025

 |  08:38 09/01/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho City statistics indicate that in 2025, following the merger of three former administrative entities - Can Tho, Hau Giang and Soc Trang - fisheries output in 2025 increased by 6.23% compared with 2024 with aquaculture production nearly 9.1 times higher than capture fisheries.

Ca Mau completes all assigned tasks in fight against IUU fishing

 |  08:51 07/01/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the Ca Mau Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ca Mau province has achieved significant, comprehensive and substantive progress in combating IUU fishing in 2025, successfully fulfilling all tasks directed by the central government and strengthening fisheries governance. These efforts have established a solid foundation for the nationwide effort to lift the EC’s "yellow card" warning.

Ca Mau: Shrimp Production Reaches Nearly 600,000 Tons, Exceeding 2025 Target

 |  08:44 05/01/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau has exceeded its 2025 production targets, reaching nearly 595,000 tons of shrimp. This milestone reinforces the province’s position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp producer and a bright spot in the country’s seafood sector.

Shrimp exports over 11 months: Consolidating markets and maintaining growth momentum amidst trade pressures

 |  08:50 30/12/2025

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, cumulative shrimp exports from the beginning of the year through November reached $4.3 billion, up 21% year-on-year, continuing to serve as the primary growth driver of the entire seafood sector. In November alone, export turnover amounted to $393 million, up 14%.

Ca Mau’s fisheries maintains positive growth momentum

 |  08:56 26/12/2025

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, the fisheries sector continued to stand out as a bright spot in Ca Mau’s economic landscape, maintaining positive growth in both output and value.

Pangasius exports surpass $2 billion in the first 11 months

 |  08:40 22/12/2025

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) By the end of November 2025, Vietnam’s total pangasius export turnover had exceeded the $2 billion threshold, registering a 9% compared with the same period in 2024. In November alone, pangasius exports reached $195 million, also posting a 9% increase year-on-year, underscoring a stable recovery trajectory for the sector in the final months of the year.

VASEP Data Power – A comprehensive data and tool ecosystem for Vietnam’s seafood businesses

 |  21:09 17/12/2025

Building on over three decades of trusted leadership, VASEP is proactively shaping a Dynamic Knowledge Ecosystem where data is transformed into actionable value and forward-looking insights for the business community

An Giang: Developing climate-resilient marine aquaculture

 |  09:01 16/12/2025

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang is focusing on expanding climate-adaptive marine aquaculture models, aiming for safe and sustainable production. This approach not only enhances economic efficiency but also helps fishermen stabilize their livelihoods amid weather fluctuations.

Vietnam pangasius in China: Stable demand, intensifying competition

 |  10:02 11/12/2025

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first 10 months of 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to China (including Mainland China and Hong Kong) reached $483 million, up 1% compared to the same period in 2024. October alone posted $73 million, a strong 19% increase year-on-year. The Chinese market currently accounts for nearly 27% of Vietnam’s total pangasius export value.

Vietnam’s lobster exports set for another strong surge in 2025

 |  08:58 09/12/2025

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to data from Vietnam Customs, the country’s lobster exports posted another strong month in October 2025, reaching $93 million - a 75% increase from the same month in 2024. This performance extends the sector’s impressive growth streak from earlier in the year, pushing cumulative exports for the first 10 months to $712 million, up an extraordinary 135% year-over-year. Within the product mix, green lobster remained the dominant driver, accounting for 98% of total export value, with $700 million recorded in the first 10 months - a 141% jump year-on-year. In contrast, exports of spiny lobster and other lobster varieties declined slightly by 22% and 1%, respectively, indicating that market demand is becoming increasingly concentrated on the most sought-after product line.

VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM

Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội

Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO

Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu

Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông

Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn

Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh

Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn

VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội

Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn

© Copyright 2020 - Mọi hình thức sao chép phải được sự chấp thuận bằng văn bản của VASEP

DANH MỤC