The US refused to recognize 12 seafood exploitation occupations, the Ministry of Industry and Trade sent a request for review.

According to the Department of Trade Defense (Ministry of Industry and Trade), the Minister of Industry and Trade has sent a letter requesting the US Secretary of Commerce (DOC) to objectively review seafood trade.

The US decision could have a major impact on the seafood export industry and fishermen - Photo: N.HOANG

Information from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) said that on September 10, VASEP sent an official dispatch to many relevant agencies.

The content of the document mentioned that the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA, under the US Department of Commerce) notified the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Environment about refusing to recognize the equivalent of 12 seafood exploitation occupations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).

Many key seafood products exported to the US may be affected.

Accordingly, seafood species exploited by these fisheries will be banned from being imported into the US from January 1, 2026. This is a measure similar to a ban, strongly affecting the export of many key species of Vietnam such as tuna, swordfish, grouper, mackerel, mullet, crab, squid, mackerel, etc.

VASEP said that in recent times, the Vietnamese seafood industry, together with the Government and localities, has made efforts to modernize, improve responsibility and strengthen fisheries management.

This includes the National Assembly 's enactment of the 2017 Fisheries Law, increased resources for local management, maintaining compliance with IUU, SIMP, FIP programs for crab and tuna, implementing "Dolphin Safe" certification for tuna export supply chains, and many other legal frameworks and programs to protect marine mammals.

VASEP recommends urgent short-term and long-term coordination measures from the Government and ministries to protect seafood businesses, remove difficulties, maintain exports to the US, and minimize the risk of stopping from January 1, 2026.

Request the US Department of Commerce to consider objectively

Faced with this situation, on September 15, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien sent a letter to US Secretary of Commerce (DOC) Howard Lutnick, asking DOC and NOAA to reconsider the decision to avoid serious disruptions to bilateral trade and protect the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese fishermen and workers.

In the letter, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien also requested Minister Howard Lutnick to pay attention and consider objectively to ensure reasonable results for Vietnamese shrimp exporting enterprises - reliable partners, doing fair business in the US market in the 19th administrative review of anti-dumping tax on imported shrimp.

Mr. Nguyen Hong Dien emphasized that the above decisions not only affect Vietnamese businesses, farmers and fishermen but also benefit American importers, workers and consumers.

Vietnam and the United States are maintaining a comprehensive strategic partnership, based on trust and mutual benefit. Vietnam considers the United States an important trade partner, always creating favorable conditions for American businesses and investors, and is committed to continuing close cooperation to resolve outstanding issues in a constructive, forward-looking spirit.

NGOC AN

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/my-tu-choi-cong-nhan-12-nghe-khai-thac-hai-san-bo-cong-thuong-gui-de-nghi-xem-xet-20250915213321207.htm