He made the statement during an interview withVietnam News Agency following the US Department of Commerce’s 13th administrativereview on countervailing duties on frozen tra fillets imported from Vietnam fromAugust 1, 2015 – July 31, 2016 ended with record high taxation, triple that ofthe 12th review.
Son said the Ministry of Industry and Trade hasclearly expressed its stance on the taxation in its announcement, that it isunfair and reflects inappropriate protectionism.
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exportersand Processors also issued an announcement affirming that the DOC’s calculationmethod is improper and biased and asked the DOC to reconsider the tax on frozentra fillets imported from Vietnam.
Asked about what Vietnam could do to changethe DOC’s decision, Son said after the ninth administrative review when the DOCrefused to reconsider its decision in 2013, Vietnam later filed a complaint to the USCourt of International Trade. Even if the court’s ruling, which oftentakes 3-4 years, is inappropriate, Vietnam could file a complaint to the USCourt of Federal Claims.
According to him, the US will continue enforcingnew regulations, including the Food Safety Modernisation Act, which requiresexporters to provide information regarding fishing locations and vehicles,preservation, transportation, processing and distribution.
Therefore, the State, local agencies andassociations need to store and digitalise such information to make it readilyavailable when necessary, he said.
Together with efforts of aquatic exporters,relevant associations, the ministries of Industry and Trade, and Agricultureand Rural Development, the media also plays a significant role in raisingpublic awareness of fishing and aquatic processing which ensures safety andmeet importers’ requirements, Son added.-VNA