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) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 1.9 billion in the first five months of 2026, up 12% compared with the same period last year. Amid continued volatility in the global seafood market, this result demonstrates that the shrimp sector has maintained positive growth momentum, supported by improving demand in several Asian markets, particularly China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On June 16, the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Ca Mau Province announced that the locality has established a farming area code for nearly 30,400 hectares of mud crab aquaculture and granted export facility codes to five enterprises eligible to export mud crab officially to markets such as China, Cambodia, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The United States remains one of the largest export markets for Vietnamese pangasius. In the first four months of 2026, pangasius exports to the US reached USD 106 million, up 4% compared to the same period in 2025. In April 2026 alone, export value totaled USD 38 million, marking a 20% year-on-year increase and the first positive growth recorded after an extended period of decline.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) While Vietnam’s shrimp exports to many major markets continued to post positive growth in the first months of 2026, exports to the United States declined, highlighting growing competitive pressures and trade barriers facing the Vietnamese shrimp industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Egypt is emerging as one of the most promising destinations for Vietnamese tuna exports in 2026. During the first four months of the year, export turnover to this market exceeded USD 7.3 million, marking a sharp increase compared to the same period over the previous two years. As Egypt’s tuna imports continue to recover and demand for canned tuna remains strong, the market is becoming increasingly attractive for Vietnamese tuna processors and exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to CPTPP member countries reached nearly USD 128 million, accounting for 18% of the country’s total pangasius export value and increasing by 21% compared to the same period in 2025. Demand patterns varied significantly across the bloc: Mexico primarily imported fresh and frozen pangasius products, while Japan and Canada recorded substantial shares of processed products. Australia remained focused on frozen fillets but continued to maintain a portion of processed imports.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Despite the slow recovery of the U.S. market and continued trade-related challenges facing Vietnam’s shrimp industry, Minh Phu Seafood Corporation (MPC) has set ambitious targets for 2026. The company aims to produce 68,800 metric tons of finished shrimp products, generate consolidated revenue of VND 19.9 trillion, and achieve VND 1.059 trillion in pre-tax profit. If achieved, these figures would represent the highest revenue and profit levels in the company’s history.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) HungHau Foods Joint Stock Company (HungHau Foods) has been honored at the 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Forum, receiving two prestigious awards: “Top 10 Outstanding Asia-Pacific Enterprises 2026” and “Top 10 Outstanding Entrepreneurs” awarded to HungHau Foods CEO, Ms. Nguyen Yen.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a period of sluggish imports in 2025, the Chinese market has returned with strong shrimp purchasing momentum in the first months of 2026. However, alongside rising demand comes an increasingly stringent import control system, covering quarantine requirements, food safety standards, registration procedures, and traceability. This makes China a market that offers both significant opportunities and growing risks for Vietnamese shrimp exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Recently, in Long Xuyen City, An Giang Province, the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development (IPSARD) and the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) organized a workshop to announce the results of the project “Food Loss Assessment in the Pangasius Value Chain in the Mekong River Region.” The project aims to provide scientific evidence to support the sustainable development of Vietnam’s pangasius industry.
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