The Vietnamese tuna industry faces a great opportunity in 2025 as the US considers preferential tariffs for certain products, opening up the potential for market access with near-zero tariffs.
Opportunities arising from Vietnam-US trade relations
In 2025, the Vietnamese tuna industry is expected to receive positive signals from the bilateral trade agreement between Vietnam and the United States. The joint statement, signed at the ASEAN Summit 2025 in Malaysia, outlines the possibility of adjusting tariffs for items listed in Annex 3 of Executive Order No. 14346 dated September 5, 2025. This provides a basis for some tuna products to potentially benefit from a 0% import tariff.
The three product groups identified as having a high probability of being eligible for preferential treatment are:
– Fresh/chilled albacore tuna (HS code 03023100)
– Frozen tuna loin/fillet (HS code 03048700)
– Processed tuna and skipjack tuna, not canned, not in oil, loose or directly packaged, weighing over 6.8 kg (HS code 16041440)
These products are a strength of Vietnamese businesses and are suitable for the needs of US food service chains and distribution systems. Therefore, if the tariff policy is implemented as expected, this will be a major boost for the tuna industry.
The US is currently Vietnam’s largest tuna import market, but logistics costs and tariffs are barriers that make the product less competitive compared to supplies from Ecuador or Thailand. A 0% tariff rate would be key to helping Vietnam improve its position and expand its market share.
Hopes for recovery after two years of stagnation.
The tax exemption significantly reduces costs for Vietnamese businesses when exporting products to the US. This allows for more competitive pricing while maintaining profit margins. High-value product groups such as frozen tuna loin and fillets are considered to benefit directly as they align with the growing consumer trend prioritizing quality food.
Improved competitiveness also helps businesses gain more stable access to restaurants, supermarkets, and food chains in the US. These segments demand high standards and a stable supply, something the Vietnamese tuna industry has experience in meeting over the years.
The tariff opportunities also open up prospects for the industry’s recovery after a period of stagnation in 2024 and 2025. Forecasts suggest that within 6 to 18 months after the tariff policy is implemented, export turnover could increase again thanks to optimized product value.
Challenges to overcome in the tax-free race
Despite the great prospects, the process of realizing the benefits still faces many challenges. According to VASEP’s tuna market expert, the final list of products eligible for tariff exemption has not yet been announced by the US side. This means that enjoying preferential tariff rates is still awaiting confirmation.
Furthermore, businesses wishing to access preferential treatment must fully meet the accompanying requirements. Conditions regarding rules of origin, traceability transparency, and sustainability standards are all emphasized. These are factors that businesses must overcome if they want to maintain long-term competitiveness.
The Vietnamese tuna industry is facing increasingly stringent requirements from the US and other major markets regarding combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, marine mammal protection agreements (MMPA), supply chain transparency, and achieving certification from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). Failure to meet these criteria will prevent businesses from taking advantage of tariff benefits.
A new identity for Vietnamese tuna on the trade map.
The international trade landscape is becoming increasingly stringent, particularly regarding traceability and sustainability. In this context, many Vietnamese tuna businesses have had to proactively adjust their strategies, focusing on boosting value-added products such as loin, fillets, and large-scale processed products to improve quality, increase profitability, and better suit the needs of the US retail and food service industry.
Investing in high-value products combined with supply chain standardization is seen as a crucial step for the tuna industry to build a competitive, sustainable national brand image and enhance its position in the US market in the coming period.
Is a 0% tax rate an advantage or a test for businesses?
The prospect of a 0% tax rate has raised high expectations for Vietnam’s tuna industry, but the final outcome still depends on each company’s ability to comply with regulations. Tax incentives are merely a catalyst. The real value comes from standardizing the supply chain, ensuring legal exploitation, and transparency throughout the entire process.
The tuna industry is facing a significant opportunity to increase its competitiveness in the US market. However, success will only come if businesses have the capacity to meet the new trade standards set by the US. If they can do that, the 0% tariff will not only be an expectation but could become a factor that helps the industry break through in the coming years.
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