What is the impact of Chinese naval vessels on Vietnamese fishermen?

Vietnamese fishermen say the presence of armed Chinese ships has made the waters of the South China Sea even more dangerous and unpredictable, with incidents of Chinese vessels ramming and sinking Vietnamese fishing boats.

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Vietnamese Fishermen Caught Between EU Regulations and China's Maritime Aggression

Q: What is the EU's "yellow card" on Vietnam?

The EU has imposed a "yellow card" on Vietnam, warning the country to address illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices or face a full trade ban on seafood exports worth over $500 million annually.

Q: How are U.S. trade officials involved in the issue?

U.S. trade officials are tracking the same IUU compliance data the EU uses, and analysts warn that if Vietnam fails to lift the EU's yellow card by the end of 2025, Washington could use that as justification to raise tariffs on Vietnamese seafood and other exports.

13 Nov

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Summary

Vietnam racing to lift EU's "yellow card" on illegal fishing by 2025
U.S. may impose tariffs on Vietnamese seafood if EU ban not lifted
Chinese naval vessels ramming and sinking Vietnamese fishing boats

Vietnamese Fishermen Caught Between EU Regulations and China's Maritime Aggression

As of November 13, 2025, Vietnamese fishing communities are caught in a complex web of geopolitical and regulatory pressures. The European Union has imposed a "yellow card" on Vietnam, warning the country to address illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices or face a full trade ban on seafood exports worth over $500 million annually.

Meanwhile, the new U.S.-Vietnam tariff agreement has added another layer of uncertainty, as U.S. officials are closely monitoring Vietnam's IUU compliance data. Analysts warn that if Vietnam fails to lift the EU's yellow card by the end of 2025, Washington could use that as justification to raise tariffs on Vietnamese seafood and other exports.