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) After a fairly strong upward trend in 2025, Vietnam’s clam exports entered 2026 with a mixed picture: strong growth at the beginning of the year, followed by a slowdown from March onward. According to Vietnam Customs data, Vietnam’s clam export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached more than USD 38 million, up 2% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is facing new opportunities to expand its development space as many localities and businesses begin promoting marine farming models aimed at diversifying farming areas and adapting to climate change. However, for pangasius to truly “go offshore” and develop into a large-scale industry segment, significant challenges related to technology, broodstock, and markets still need to be addressed.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports in April 2026 reached USD 11 million, up 92% compared to the same period in 2025. This strong growth indicates that Vietnamese tilapia products are continuing to penetrate and expand rapidly in international markets. Cumulative export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 49 million, up 151% year-on-year.
(seafood.vasep.com) At VietShrimp Asia 2026, disease management trends in shrimp farming are shifting strongly from treatment-based approaches toward proactive prevention through environmental and pond ecosystem control.
(vasep.com.vn) After a period of strong growth, with export turnover reaching USD 38 million in Q1/2026 — up 174% year-on-year — the sector’s rapid expansion clearly reflects growing market opportunities.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the ASEAN bloc reached USD 44 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025. After falling to the lowest level of the quarter at USD 9 million in February — reflecting the seasonal slowdown in orders after the festive period — exports recovered strongly to USD 18 million in March, the highest monthly value of the quarter. This development shows that import demand for pangasius in ASEAN remains relatively stable despite short-term fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On May 11, 2026, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced a positive comparability finding for Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries, along with those of Indonesia and Sri Lanka, under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). With this decision, seafood and seafood products harvested from Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries will continue to be eligible for import into the US market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a slowdown in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Germany showed more positive signs in the first quarter of 2026. However, the recovery remains uncertain as consumer demand in Germany is still cautious, while market competition is increasingly driven by pricing and supply stability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a sharp decline in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel are showing positive signs of recovery in the early months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover to this market grew steadily month by month in Q1/2026, reaching nearly USD 10 million, up 33% compared to the same period in 2025. However, compared to Q1/2024, this level remains significantly lower, indicating that the recovery is still in its early stage following last year’s strong adjustment.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Entering 2026, the U.S. whitefish market has shown complex developments as global cod supply continues to tighten, while the U.S. trade environment becomes less stable. In this context, the U.S. market has had to become more flexible in sourcing alternative whitefish. However, relying heavily on Alaska pollock is not a long-term solution, as it is a strictly managed fishery with quotas and sustainability regulations, limiting any rapid increase in output to offset cod shortages.
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