Socialist Republic of Vietnam

To Whom It May Concern:
Washington D.C., July 10, 2002

Dear Sir/Madam:

As you may know, on June 28, 2002 the Catfish Farmers of America (CFA) filed a petition for the imposition of anti-dumping duties upon basa and tra fish imported from Vietnam.

This incident occurred after the taking into effect of the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), the outcome of our enormous joint efforts, which has brought about great expectations for enterprises across the ocean. In our view, the very beginning stage of the BTA implementation is very important to our relationship since it is still rather sensitive. The way we handle emerging trade issues at this stage might have a long-term impact on the confidence and interest of doing business with one another. It is my belief that issues, e.g. the catfish one, can be settled in a cooperative and fair manner with the goodwill and determination from both sides. In this regard, I would like to say that Vietnam attaches importance to the early setting up of a working mechanism for settlement of trade disputes in the framework of the BTA, similar to those the United States has established with several countries.

Furthermore, I wish to draw your attention to the fact that the recently passed labeling acts have already caused a significant decrease of more than 30% of basa and tra fish export from Vietnam to the US market in the first four months of 2002 as shown by recent statistics. That has seriously affected the life and employment of hundreds of thousands of farmers and members of their families in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. And, as a matter of fact, our fish industry is operating entirely in conditions of market economy. I am convinced that unbiased investigations will confirm my observation.

I would like to call upon you to use your important influence to help to close this case so as not to negatively affect the growing trade and economic relations between our two countries as well as the businesses, including American ones, which are being benefited in this process.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your attention and contribution to the settlement of this issue.

Respectfully,

Nguyen Tam Chien
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of SR of Vietnam to the United States.