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 Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on the settlement of the anti-dumping duty order imposed on frozen fish fillets from Vietnam.
Background of the Dispute
Table of Contents
On January 8, 2018, Vietnam officially filed a complaint at the World Trade Organization (WTO) (case DS536) against the United States for violations of WTO regulations in applying anti-dumping duties on Vietnam’s pangasius (tra) and basa fish exports.
In 2020, after the WTO Dispute Settlement Panel circulated a draft ruling to the parties, the U.S. proposed postponing the report’s official release so that both governments could negotiate a bilateral solution.
Bilateral Resolution Achieved
As a result, on January 17, 2025, the two sides reached a mutually agreed settlement, officially ending the dispute under case DS536 at the WTO.
Under the agreement, Vinh Hoan Corporation—Vietnam’s largest pangasius exporter and the only company meeting U.S. exemption criteria—has been removed from the scope of the anti-dumping duties applied to Vietnamese pangasius and basa exports.
Strengthening U.S.–Vietnam Trade Relations
This marks the second time Vietnam and the United States have reached a bilateral resolution to a WTO dispute, following the 2016 settlement of the warm-water shrimp anti-dumping case (DS429) involving Minh Phu Seafood Corporation.
The latest agreement underscores the goodwill and negotiation efforts of both sides. Vietnam welcomed the constructive spirit and cooperation of U.S. agencies—especially the Department of Commerce (DOC) and USTR—in seeking a fair and lasting resolution.
A Testament to Vietnam’s Commitment to Fair Trade
For Vietnam, this achievement reflects years of close coordination between the Government, legal advisors, and the seafood industry—particularly Vinh Hoan Corporation. It demonstrates Vietnam’s readiness to utilize international trade mechanisms, including WTO dispute resolution, to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese enterprises in the context of deepening global integration.