AsemconnectVietnam - Positive signals from the Vietnam - US trade negotiations are opening up great opportunities for Vietnamese agricultural and aquatic products.

If the policy of reducing or exempting reciprocal tariffs is approved, many key products such as coffee, tuna, vegetables and fruits will have more competitive advantages, helping Vietnamese enterprises expand their market share and affirm their position in the world's most demanding market.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in the first 10 months of 2025, Vietnam's agricultural, forestry and aquatic product exports reached 58.13 billion USD, up by 12.9% over the same period of 2024.
The United States was the second largest market (after China) with 20.4% market share, equivalent to 11.85 billion USD, still increasing by 6.2% although the growth rate has slowed down.
Recently, international media reported that US President Donald Trump had pointed out that some goods that the US cannot produce, such as coffee, spices, etc., could be included in the list of reciprocal tax exemptions. This information was received with great excitement by Vietnamese businesses.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the US currently maintains a 20% reciprocal tax rate on goods originating from Vietnam under Executive Order No. 14257 issued on April 2, 2025. However, the US is reviewing the list of goods in Appendix III of Executive Order No. 14356 issued on September 5, 2025, to consider adjusting taxes for partners with similar trade orientations. Goods in this list may enjoy a 0% tax rate in the near future.
Vietnamese businesses expect that negotiations on the Fair and Balanced Reciprocal Trade Agreement will be completed soon, paving the way for the preferential tax policy to officially take effect.
Mr. Ngo Minh Phuong, Director of Viet Truong Company Limited (Hai Phong), shared: "Previously, Vietnamese tilapia was exempted from import tax, then increased to 10% and then 20%. If the tax is reduced back to 0%, we will really feel like we have a happy ending."
Many agricultural products welcome golden opportunities
Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tung, Chairman of Vina T&T Group, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (Vinafruit), said: Vietnamese fruits have now gone beyond the Asian community, appearing in many states and being favored by local consumers.
"If Vietnamese goods are exempted from tax while competitors still pay high taxes, our competitive advantage will be outstanding," Mr. Tung emphasized.
Not only vegetables and fruits, rice and rice products are also assessed to have great potential. The United States mainly imposes high taxes on domestically produced goods, so imported agricultural products such as Vietnamese rice can benefit significantly.
Golden opportunity for Vietnamese agricultural products in the US market
For the coffee industry, the signal is also very positive. Mr. Thai Nhu Hiep, Vice President of the Vietnam Coffee and Cocoa Association (VICOFA), said: President Trump has expressed his desire to prioritize Vietnamese coffee to supplement the supply when the amount of goods from Brazil has decreased sharply due to the 50% tax.
“If the US lowers the tax on Vietnamese coffee to 0% while other sources are still subject to high taxes, this will be a huge advantage,” Mr. Hiep affirmed.
However, it will take 2-3 years for US consumers, who are used to the taste of Brazilian Arabica, to gradually switch to Vietnamese Robusta. However, positive signals have appeared: Vietnamese coffee exports to the US have increased sharply in the past few months, and new orders have continuously increased.
In the seafood sector, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) said: The US has temporarily suspended the ban on crab imports from Vietnam, along with three other countries. At the same time, some chilled and frozen tuna products may soon be subject to 0% tax, becoming a “boost” to help Vietnamese products increase their competitiveness in the world’s largest tuna consuming market.
Experts say that the increasingly expanding two-way trade relationship not only helps Vietnamese goods reach further, but also affirms Vietnam’s role as an important partner in the global agricultural supply chain.
If the new tax policy is applied, this will be a “golden opportunity” for Vietnamese agricultural products to increase their value, expand their market share and affirm their brand in the US market - which is considered a measure of the quality and reputation of international goods.
CK
Source: VITIC