US antidumping duties on Vietnam’s frozen fish fillets unfair: Ministry

Vietnam’s frozen fish fillets will be subject to antidumping duties of US$2.39 – 7.74 per kilogramme, according to a US decision which the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) claimed unfair and providing unduly excessive protection.

US antidumping duties on Vietnam’s frozen fish fillets unfair: Ministry

The US Department of Commerce (DOC) has recently issued the final results of the 13th administrative review (POR 13) of antidumping duties on frozen pangasius fillets from Vietnam for the period from August 1, 2015 to July 31, 2016, that imposes the unprecedentedly high rates of tax on the products, according to the MOIT.

It will have negative impacts on Vietnam’s fish exports to the US, the ministry said.

The ministry has been closely working with the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) and local pangasius exporters to exchange information and give the US authorities feedback on the issue.

Throughout the review process, Vietnamese producers have made many efforts to provide the DOC with accurate information but the DOC decided to use adverse facts available (AFA) to determine the final tax rates. The DOC has changed its reviewing practices when applying AFA on many Vietnamese businesses, the ministry stressed.

Thereby, the MOIT requested the US to review the decision and reduce the tax rates on Vietnam’s exporters in compliance with WTO regulations and with fairness for all related parties.

The ministry will continue coordinating with VASEP and relevant governmental agencies to study all options in ensuring legitimate rights of Vietnamese companies.