90 Day Tariff Window Gives Vietnam Shrimp Exporters Rare Shot at US Market Expansion

Vietnam’s shrimp exporters have entered a critical 90-day window to gain ground in the U.S. market, thanks to a temporary tariff reduction to 10%, according to Kim Thu, shrimp market analyst at the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP). This reduction applies to countries previously facing tariffs over 10%.

This short period is seen as both a strategic opening and a high-stakes challenge. As Chinese shrimp shipments to the U.S. face new barriers, Vietnamese suppliers have a chance to increase market share, especially by emphasizing high-value-added products and rigorous origin traceability.

However, intense price competition looms, along with tightened customs scrutiny in the U.S., amid concerns that Chinese shrimp may be rerouted through Vietnam to bypass sanctions.

With China likely to shift its shrimp exports toward the EU, Japan, and ASEAN, where Vietnam is also heavily active, the battle for market dominance will become fiercer. Profit margins will shrink, forcing Vietnamese producers to boost efficiency and innovate to survive.