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On January 17, 2025, a representative of Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, authorized by the Government, signed a bilateral agreement with the United States regarding the imposition of anti-dumping duties on Vietnamese fish fillets with the U.S. Government’s representative, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR).
On January 8, 2018, Vietnam officially initiated a complaint against the United States at the World Trade Organization (WTO), alleging violations of WTO rules regarding the imposition of anti-dumping duties on pangasius and basa fish exported from Vietnam to the U.S. market (Case DS536).
In 2020, after the DS536 Panel circulated a draft report to the parties involved before its official release, the United States proposed that the Vietnamese Government jointly request a delay in the Panel’s report publication to negotiate a bilateral solution to resolve DS536.
On January 17, 2025, in Washington, D.C., the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam, authorized by the Government, signed a bilateral agreement with the U.S. Government regarding anti-dumping duties on Vietnamese fish fillets with the USTR representative.
Thus, the two sides reached a bilateral solution to end the dispute in Case DS536 at the WTO.
Under this agreement, Vinh Hoan Corporation—Vietnam’s leading exporter of pangasius and basa fish and the only enterprise meeting the conditions for the U.S. to lift anti-dumping duties—was officially excluded from the scope of anti-dumping duties when exporting pangasius and basa fish to the United States.
This marks the second bilateral agreement between Vietnam and the United States to resolve a dispute at the WTO, following the cases related to anti-dumping duties on warm-water shrimp (DS404 and DS429). In 2016, the two nations signed a bilateral agreement to remove anti-dumping duties on warm-water shrimp exported to the U.S. by Minh Phu Seafood Corporation.
The bilateral solution to this dispute over pangasius and basa fish reflects the goodwill and negotiation efforts from both sides. Vietnam highly values the cooperative spirit, goodwill, and efforts of the U.S., particularly the Department of Commerce (DOC) and the USTR.
The United States’ implementation of WTO rulings not only reaffirms its commitment to fostering comprehensive cooperation between the two nations but also plays a crucial role in strengthening the recently upgraded Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
For Vietnam, this outcome represents the result of close coordination, perseverance, and proactive efforts by the Government, legal advisors, and the seafood business community, particularly Vinh Hoan Corporation. This solution underscores the Vietnamese Government’s commitment to effectively utilizing international platforms, including the WTO dispute resolution mechanism, to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese enterprises amidst deepening international integration.
To protect their legitimate interests, related manufacturers and exporters should familiarize themselves with the procedure and actively contact Vietnamese law firms specializing in anti-dumping and trade remedy for timely assistance.
ASL Law is a leading full-service and independent Vietnamese law firm made up of experienced and talented lawyers. ASL Law is ranked as the top tier Law Firm in Vietnam by Legal500, Asia Law, WTR, and Asia Business Law Journal. Based in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, the firm’s main purpose is to provide the most practical, efficient and lawful advice to its domestic and international clients. If we can be of assistance, please email to [email protected].
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