A key highlight of the Joint Statement was the identification of products listed in Annex 3 of Executive Order No. 14346 (dated September 5, 2025), which aims to “adjust potential tariffs for like-minded partners.” These products may qualify for a reciprocal tariff rate of 0%.
Among the items possibly subject to tariff adjustments are fresh/chilled albacore tuna (HS03023100), frozen tuna loins/fillets (HS03048700), and processed tuna and skipjack, not in airtight containers, not in oil, in loose form or direct containers exceeding 6.8 kg (HS16041440).
If these tuna products are indeed granted tariff exemption, it would provide a major boost to the competitiveness of Vietnamese tuna in the US—one of the world’s largest tuna-consuming markets. In recent years, the U.S. has consistently been Vietnam’s top tuna import market, though export prices have been constrained by high logistics costs and import duties. Reducing tariffs to 0% could make Vietnamese products more competitive against suppliers from Ecuador, Thailand, and the Philippines, especially in the high-quality frozen loin/fillet segment and products for the US food service and retail chains.
However, this opportunity will not come easily. The detailed list of tariff-eligible items has not yet been officially announced by the US government. Additional conditions—such as rules of origin, traceability, and sustainability standards—may pose significant challenges for many Vietnamese exporters. In recent years, the Vietnamese tuna industry has faced increasingly strict US and international requirements related to IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing, marine mammal protection (MMPA), supply chain transparency, and Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. Without meeting these criteria, Vietnamese exporters may find it difficult to take advantage of tariff preferences, even if their products are listed as eligible.
Moreover, trade relations between the two countries remain sensitive, as the US has applied a 20% reciprocal tariff on various Vietnamese products this year. The 0% tariff policy is likely to be selective, prioritizing items that demonstrate “fair reciprocity” and full traceability of origin.
In this context, many Vietnamese tuna exporters are shifting strongly toward value-added products such as loins, fillets, and large-scale processed tuna. This strategy not only helps improve profit margins but also aligns with the US market’s growing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly products.
It is forecast that within the next 6–18 months, if the 0% tariff policy is implemented for the mentioned HS codes, Vietnam’s tuna exports to the US could regain growth momentum after a slowdown in 2024–2025. At the same time, investments in traceability systems, standardized processing procedures, and national branding for Vietnamese tuna will determine how effectively Vietnam can capitalize on this tariff opening.
The opportunity is great—but it will not automatically translate into gains. Without standardized supply chains, transparent sourcing, and strict IUU compliance, the 0% tariff will remain merely an opportunity on paper.
Vietnam’s tuna industry stands at a new crossroads—where tariff advantages alone are no longer enough. Instead, adaptability, transparency, and sustainable value will define its competitiveness in the US market in the years ahead.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With continued policy support, technological innovation and close coordination among authorities, businesses and farmers, Vietnam’s pangasius industry is expected to make a strong and sustainable breakthrough during the 2026–2030 period, reinforcing its position as the world’s leading exporter of the fish.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to Asian markets showed varying trends across regions and countries. The Middle East recorded strong growth, with Saudi Arabia emerging as the largest Asian market for Vietnamese tilapia. ASEAN markets also expanded significantly, driven primarily by Malaysia. Meanwhile, Japan maintained solid growth, while exports to South Korea declined compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp and pangasius continued to lead growth, helping seafood exports reach $4.67 billion in the first five months of the year; however, differentiation among product groups and increasingly stringent requirements from importing markets are posing many challenges for the industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Every day, the seafood processing industry in Ca Mau generates large quantities of shrimp heads and shells during processing operations. In the past, these by-products were largely treated as waste, increasing production costs and posing potential environmental risks. However, thanks to advanced processing technologies, materials once considered waste are now being transformed into high-value products, creating a circular economy model within the seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam Clean Seafood Corporation has invested in a 280-hectare super-intensive shrimp farming zone in Tran De Commune, Can Tho City, generating export value of approximately VND 3 billion per hectare per year—around 50 times higher than traditional agricultural production.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.02 billion in May 2026, up 0.6% year-on-year. Cumulative exports in the first five months of 2026 totaled USD 4.67 billion, an increase of 11% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In a rapidly changing global seafood market, timely insights and reliable data are more critical than ever. The Report on Vietnam Seafood Exports in Q1/2026 provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in Vietnam’s seafood production, trade performance, and export trends, helping businesses navigate uncertainty and identify new growth opportunities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) While many major markets continue to experience slow growth, Russia has emerged as a brighter destination for Vietnamese tuna exports in early 2026. Export turnover to this market increased by nearly 55% in the first four months of the year, indicating a clear improvement in demand. Nevertheless, Russia remains a market that should be viewed with both optimism and caution.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports have shown encouraging signs of recovery in 2026. In the first four months of the year, total export turnover reached USD 720 million, up 17% compared to the same period last year. This result reflects improving demand across many markets, as well as the efforts of Vietnamese pangasius enterprises to maintain production, secure orders, and adapt to changing market conditions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports reached USD 49 million, up 151% compared to the same period in 2025. This impressive growth reflects positive momentum in the tilapia sector, with Brazil emerging as a key driver of growth, while frozen tilapia fillets continued to be the industry's leading export product.
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