Vietnam and US reach agreement on anti-dumping case of pangasius at WTO
VOV.VN - Vinh Hoan JSc, one of Vietnam’s leading exporters of tra and basa fish, has met the necessary conditions to have US tariffs removed, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).
The MoIT recently provided information regarding the resolution of the anti-dumping dispute (case DS536) involving tra and basa fish at the World Trade Organization (WTO).
On January 8, 2018, Vietnam formally initiated a legal challenge against the US for violating WTO rules by applying anti-dumping duties to Vietnamese tra and basa fish exports to the US market.
In 2020, following the WTO Appellate Body’s draft ruling sent to the parties involved before the official announcement, the US proposed that Vietnam delay the publication of the WTO Panel’s report to negotiate a bilateral solution to resolve the case.
On January 17, 2025, in Washington, D.C., the MoIT signed a bilateral agreement between the United States and Vietnam regarding the anti-dumping duty on fillets from Vietnam, with the US Trade Representative (USTR). This agreement marks the resolution of the dispute between the two countries, officially settling case DS536 at the WTO.
Under this agreement, Vinh Hoan JSc, the sole enterprise qualified to have US tariffs removed, and a leading exporter of tra and basa fish from Vietnam, has been removed from the scope of anti-dumping duties when exporting these fish products to the US market.
This marks the second time that Vietnam and the US have reached a bilateral agreement to resolve a dispute at the WTO, apart from the case of imposing anti-dumping tax on warm-water shrimp products previously.
In 2016, both sides signed a bilateral agreement to remove anti-dumping duties on warm-water shrimp products by Minh Phu Seafood Corporation.
A representative from MoIT pointed out that Vietnam welcomed the constructive spirit, goodwill, and efforts made by the US in seeking bilateral solutions.
Simultaneously, the US's implementation of the WTO ruling has also made a significant contribution to demonstrating its goodwill to strengthen the multifaceted relations between the two sides, especially after the two countries upgraded their ties to that of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2023.
This bilateral solution reflects Vietnam’s readiness to utilize appropriate forums, including WTO dispute settlement mechanisms, to ensure the legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese businesses as Vietnam increasingly integrates into the global economy.
