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) Although Germany’s tuna imports have declined, Vietnam’s tuna exports to the market continue to show positive signs. Notably, export value recovered strongly in Q3/2026, and German import data also show Vietnamese products strengthening their position amid competition among suppliers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Seafood exports are holding double-digit growth, but the opportunities are not spread evenly across product groups and markets. As businesses draw up their plans for 2027, Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS2026) offers a chance to look ahead together: what to sell, where to sell it, and how to prepare for growth in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With less than two weeks to go, the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026) will officially take place in Can Tho. Under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029 – Opportunities and Potential for Double-Digit Export Growth,” the Summit is organized by VASEP at a time when seafood businesses are facing rapid market shifts, changing buyer demand, trade policy changes and growing competitive pressure all at once.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 28, 2026, the China Fisheries & Seafood Expo opened in Qingdao, China. The expo takes place over three days from October 28 to 30, 2026. This is a prestigious specialized seafood exhibition organized annually by Sea Fare Exposition Inc.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the CPTPP bloc reached $7 million, marking a 51% year-on-year increase. The bloc rstands as the fourth-largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, trailing Brazil, the US, and Saudi Arabia.
(vasep.com.vn) VASEP has officially announced the program for Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026), featuring five in-depth sessions covering industry outlooks, trade barriers, buyer demand, the domestic market, and solutions to improve productivity and reduce costs across the seafood value chain.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.7 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% year on year. Although growth has been supported by China and several markets within the CPTPP, momentum is slowing as exports to the United States and the European Union decline. Tariff pressures, international competition, and raw material challenges are creating significant hurdles for exporters in the final months of the year.
(vasep.com.vn) Markets are changing faster, buyer requirements are becoming more demanding, and trade barriers are growing increasingly complex. In this environment, seafood businesses need more than an understanding of current market conditions. They need a longer-term perspective to answer a critical question: Where will growth opportunities come from in 2027–2029, and what should businesses do now to prepare? This is one of the key reasons why VASEP is organizing Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East reached US$113 million, up 7% year on year from the same period in 2025. Growth has become more pronounced in recent months. In August alone, exports to the region totaled US$20 million, an increase of 24%. This indicates that demand for Vietnamese pangasius in the Middle East is gradually recovering after a slowdown in March, although the pace of recovery varies across markets.
(vasep.com.vn) China’s shrimp imports continued to grow strongly in 2026, while Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the market also recorded notable growth. However, behind these positive figures lie two distinct trends: Chinese consumption is growing more slowly than imports, and lobster accounts for a substantial share of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to China, making its product mix significantly different from those of Ecuador and India. Exporters therefore need to assess each segment carefully to understand the opportunities and risks.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
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