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.
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(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The sharp rise in raw pangasius prices to record levels is sending positive signals for the industry, but experts warn of potential supply–demand imbalances if production is not tightly controlled.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, the country’s total canned tuna export value in 2025 reached over USD 275 million, down 8% compared to 2024. Vietnamese canned tuna products were present in approximately 80 markets worldwide. However, the 2025 picture shows clear divergence: the U.S. maintained stability, the EU declined sharply, while several Middle East–North Africa (MENA) markets accelerated.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s crab exports reached nearly USD 86 million, up almost 6% compared to 2024. A notable feature of 2025 was the strong market concentration in the United States, which accounted for more than 81% of Vietnam’s total crab export value, up 10% from the previous year. In contrast, exports to several Asian markets declined significantly, resulting in only modest overall growth for the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tilapia exports recorded impressive growth, with total export turnover reaching over USD 99 million, highlighting the increasingly important role of this product in the country’s seafood export structure. Of this total, tilapia fillets and other fish meat products accounted for USD 61 million, representing 61% of total export value and reaffirming their position as the key product category.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp seed quality is considered the “first link” and a decisive factor affecting the efficiency of the entire commercial shrimp production chain. High-quality seed directly influences survival rates, growth performance, and disease resistance, thereby determining production costs, productivity, and farmers’ profitability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of its agricultural restructuring strategy toward sustainability, Quang Tri Province is gradually promoting environmentally friendly aquaculture models. Among these, organic-oriented golden pompano farming is considered a promising direction, aligned with the goals of enhancing production value and building sustainable rural areas.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Amid the increasingly evident impacts of drought and saltwater intrusion, the shrimp-rice production model in Ca Mau province continues to prove itself as a viable direction, contributing to higher farmer incomes, improved soil conditions and the promotion of ecological and sustainable agricultural development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The management of fishing vessels, monitoring of fishing activities, and handling of violations in the fisheries sector in Lam Dong province have continued to be implemented in a synchronized and stringent manner, contributing to raising awareness of legal compliance among fishermen and aiming to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
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