Vietnam Urges US to Reconsider Decision on Recognizing Vietnamese Seafood Occupations

Strategic Insights -

Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien has sent a letter to the US Trade Minister, Howard Lutnick, requesting him to reconsider the decision to refuse recognition of 12 Vietnamese seafood mining occupations. This decision, made by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is set to affect the export of key Vietnamese seafood species to the US, including tuna, swordfish, and crab. The Vietnamese seafood industry has made significant efforts to modernize and improve management, including compliance with the IUU, SIM, and FIP programs.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US NOAA has refused to recognize 12 Vietnamese seafood mining occupations, affecting the export of key seafood species to the US.
  • The decision is set to impact hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese fishermen and workers, as well as the seafood industry as a whole.
  • Vietnam has made significant efforts to modernize and improve management, including compliance with various international programs.
  • The government is urging the US to reconsider the decision to avoid "serious interruptions" to bilateral trade.
  • Vietnam considers the US as an important trading partner and is committed to cooperating closely with them to solve existing issues.

Statistics:

  • 12 Vietnamese seafood mining occupations are at risk of being refused recognition by the US NOAA.
  • Hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese fishermen and workers are affected by the decision.
  • The export of key Vietnamese seafood species, such as tuna, swordfish, and crab, is at risk of being impacted.
  • Vietnam has implemented various programs to improve management, including IUU, SIM, and FIP.
  • The US is Vietnam's most important trading partner, and the country is committed to cooperating closely with them.

Sources:

  • Letter from Minister Nguyen Hong Dien to US Trade Minister Howard Lutnick.
  • Official Letter No. 156/CV-VASEP, issued by VASEP to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Industry and Trade, and Advisory Council for Administrative Procedure Reform and Fisheries and Ocean Management.
  • Vietnam Association of Fisheries Processing and Export (VASEP) photo information, on September 10.