The United States International Trade Commission’s application of anti-dumping duties on frozen pangasius fillets imported from Vietnam is unfair, Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson Le Hai Binh declared.

The move goes against the spirit of free trade as well as the growing bilateral economic and trade relations and the comprehensive partnership between the two countries, Binh said at a regular press conference in Hanoi on November 20.

“We affirm that Vietnamese companies do not dump frozen pangasius fillets on the US market,” he stressed.

The spokesperson added that trade between the two countries should be considered in an bias-free and equal manner, ensuring the legitimate rights of both Vietnamese producers and farmers, and the benefits of US consumers, importers and distributors.

Regarding Vietnam ’s stance on the World Trade Organisation (WTO)’s ruling related to the US ’s application of anti-dumping duties to Vietnamese shrimp, Binh said Vietnam highly valued the role of the WTO in the multilateral trade system in general and in settling international trade disputes in particular.

The WTO’s recent decision regarding the complaints Vietnam raised on the case is a positive signal and encouraging for Vietnamese shrimp producers, processors and exporters, he said.

In response to questions on the measures Vietnam applied to protect its citizens in Hong Kong (China) amidst signs of escalating tensions, Binh said right after being made aware of the situation in Hong Kong the Foreign Ministry directed Vietnam’s General Consulate in Hong Kong to implement the necessary measures to manage all information on the Vietnamese community and provide crucial warnings.

So far, the lives and property of the Vietnamese community in Hong Kong are safe, he added.

On the US Senate’s appointment of a new ambassador to Vietnam , and Vietnam’s sending of a new ambassador to the US, the spokesperson expressed his belief that both Ambassadors Ted Osius and Pham Quang Vinh would make positive contributions to the development of the comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and the US .

In recent years, the comprehensive partnership between the two countries has seen sound changes, especially in trade and the economy. Both sides are working together to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the normalisation of bilateral relations, he noted.

Binh also said he believed that 2015 would see the implementation of a series of measures to enhance the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership, thus benefiting both peoples and contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region.-VNA