Vietnamese tra fish export to the U.S. remains uninterrupted despite the U.S. tariff hike, said U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel Kritenbrink at a press conference on March 26.

Tra fish processing at a local facility in the Mekong Delta. U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel Kritenbrink has said Vietnamese tra fish export to the U.S. remains normal in spite of the U.S. tariff hike

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s (DOC) final decision which slaps antidumping tariffs on Vietnam’s frozen fish fillets, Vietnamese products are subject to a tax of US$3.87 per kilo, a 5.61-fold increase.

The decision is part of America’s regular and periodic review on imports into the U.S., including tra fish fillets, said Kritenbrink, adding that it has not interrupted Vietnam’s tra fish export stateside and Vietnamese exporters still have full access to the U.S. market, Vietnam’s largest tra fish importer.

According to Kritenbrink, the U.S.’s decision will insignificantly affect the flourishing trade relations between Vietnam and the U.S. Two-way trade has grown 12-fold over the past two decades, reaching US$52 billion in 2016.

“The trade relations between Vietnam and the U.S. are vital. Many U.S. firms are investing in Vietnam. However, they are facing more and more challenges. I hope Vietnamese partners will take specific measures to address obstacles that are affecting U.S. investment in Vietnam,” the U.S. Ambassador said.

“We expect a transparent business environment in Vietnam, where foreign and local businesses are treated equally.”

The U.S. side will continue working with Vietnamese partners to find the best solutions and help Vietnam remain an attractive destination for foreign investors, Kritenbrink was quoted by Lao Dong newspaper as saying.

SGT