A notable highlight in the Joint Statement is the identification of products listed in Annex III of U.S. Executive Order No.14346 (dated September 5, 2025), which aims to “adjust potential tariffs for like-minded partners” as eligible for a reciprocal tariff rate of 0%.
Among the product groups likely to benefit from this tariff adjustment are fresh or chilled albacore tuna (HS03023100); frozen tuna loins and fillets (HS03048700) and prepared or preserved tuna and skipjack, not in airtight containers, not in oil, in bulk or in immediate containers exceeding 6.8 kg (HS 16041440).
If these product categories are officially granted duty-free status, it would deliver a significant boost to the competitiveness of Vietnamese tuna in the U.S. market - one of the world’s largest tuna-consuming markets. In recent years, the United States has consistently been Vietnam’s top import market for tuna. However, Vietnamese exporters have faced disadvantages due to high logistics costs and import duties. Reducing the tariff to 0% would enable Vietnamese products to compete more effectively against supplies from Ecuador, Thailand and the Philippines - especially in the high-value frozen loin/fillet segment and products destined for the U.S. foodservice sector.
However, the opportunity is far from guaranteed. The detailed list of products eligible for the preferential tariff has not yet been officially published by the U.S side. Accompanying conditions - strict rules of origin, traceability requirements and sustainability standards - will pose substantial barriers for many Vietnamese enterprises. Over the past several years, Vietnam’s tuna industry has faced increasingly stringent requirements from the U.S. and other major markets regarding illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing; marine mammal protection (under the MMPA); supply-chain transparency and Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certifications. Companies that fail to meet these standards will be unable to capitalize on the tariff advantage, even if their products are included in the preferential list.
Furthermore, trade conditions between the two countries remain uncertain, as the U.S. currently applying a 20% reciprocal tariff on many Vietnamese goods this year. The 0% rate is highly likely to be applied selectively, prioritizing items that clearly demonstrate “fair reciprocity” and full transparency of origin.
Against this backdrop, Vietnamese tuna exporters are aggressively shifting toward value-added products such as loins, fillets and large-pack processed tuna. This transition is seen as appropriate - not only to improve profit margins but also to meet the growing demand for green, sustainable products in the U.S. market.
Looking ahead 6-18 months, if the 0% tariff is indeed applied to the HS codes mentioned, Vietnam’s tuna exports to the U.S could resume growth after the stagnation experienced in 2024-2025. At the same time, sustained investment in traceability systems, standardized processing practices and building a national brand for Vietnamese tuna will determine whether the country can capitalize on this tariff-opening opportunity.
The opportunity is substantial but it will not automatically translate into benefits. Without standardized supply chains, transparent raw-material sourcing, and strict IUU compliance, the 0% tariff may remain merely a theoretical advantage.
Vietnam’s tuna industry now stands at a critical juncture - where tariff rates are no longer the sole determining factor. Instead, adaptability, transparency and sustainable product value will shape its success in the U.S. 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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