Hanoi (September 16, 2025) – Vietnam’s Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyễn Hồng Diên has called on U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to reconsider a decision that could suspend imports of 12 Vietnamese seafood products starting January 1, 2026.
Minister’s Letter to the U.S.
On September 15, Minister Diên sent an official letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), urging them to review the decision rejecting Vietnam’s equivalence recognition for 12 fishing practices.
He warned that the move could cause serious disruptions to bilateral trade and threaten the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese fishermen and workers in the seafood sector.
The minister also highlighted the ongoing administrative review of U.S. anti-dumping duties on Vietnamese shrimp. He appealed for fairness, stressing that Vietnamese shrimp exporters are reliable and responsible partners in the U.S. market.
Impact on Seafood Exports
The rejection by NOAA means that key Vietnamese seafood products such as tuna, swordfish, grouper, mackerel, mullet, crab, squid, and scad would face a de facto import ban into the U.S. from January 1, 2026, under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) has warned that the measure could severely damage the country’s seafood industry and has urged immediate government action to protect exporters and maintain market access.
Strategic Partnership at Stake
Minister Diên emphasized that the decision affects not only Vietnamese businesses and fishermen but also U.S. importers, workers, and consumers who benefit from affordable and high-quality seafood.
He reiterated Vietnam’s commitment to strengthening its comprehensive strategic partnership with the United States, stressing mutual trust and benefits. Vietnam, he said, will continue to facilitate U.S. businesses and investors while working closely with Washington to resolve outstanding trade issues.
Calls for Urgent Measures
VASEP has proposed short-term and long-term solutions, including closer coordination among Vietnamese ministries, agencies, and the private sector, to safeguard the country’s seafood trade with the U.S.
The association also urged investments in sustainable fishing practices, stricter compliance with international standards, and greater support for fishermen to minimize the impact of a potential U.S. import suspension.
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Source: Vietnam Insider