VASEP opposes US tariff on Vietnamese frozen Tra fish fillets

Tra fish processing for export

The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) issued an announcement, on September 13, opposing the unfair anti-dumping tariff rate that the US Department of Commerce (DOC) has decided to impose on frozen Tra fish fillets imported from Vietnam.

According to VASEP, on September 13, the DOC announced its 13th administrative review of the anti-dumping case on frozen Tra fish fillets, imported from Vietnam between August 1, 2015 and July 31, 2016.

Through the results of the review the DOC determined a duty rate of US$2.39 per kilogram, which is three times higher than the figure determined in the 12th administrative review.

VASEP stated that this is the first time during the 13 review periods that the DOC has made an adjustment lacking any legal basis, whilst ignoring the usual regulations.

Thus, VASEP is protesting against the DOC's unfair decision, asking the department to scrutinise the dossiers and data as a basis for calculating and putting forth the correct and reasonable tax rates, without applying Adverse Facts Available (AFA) to the tax rates.

VASEP noted that, the DOC's decision works against the progress of trade liberalisation while affecting the bilateral trade relations between Vietnam and the US.