TUPELO –The U.S. Commerce Department has announced that Vietnam will remain classified as a “non-market economy” despite their efforts to be removed from the list. Vietnam is one of 12 economies labeled by our federal government as “non-market” including Russia, China, and North Korea. Denying this request makes sure Mississippi’s agriculture producers and exporters are on a level playing field with foreign competitors.

U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., released the following statement:

“This is the right decision. I am proud to support Mississippi’s agriculture producers and exporters, such as catfish farmers, and will continue to make sure they will not be undercut by substandard, unhealthy foreign products flooding the U.S. market,” Senator Wicker said.

Currently, Vietnam is illegally dumping certain agriculture products, such as shrimp and seafood into U.S. markets. Their products do not undergo rigorous food safety inspections that already exist for other imports like beef, pork, and poultry. Additionally, when Vietnam dumps their agriculture products in our markets, the costs are lower which put our domestic producers at an economic disadvantage. Under their current market status, we have an easier pathway to trade enforcement.

Last week, Senator Wicker joined Senator Cindy Hyde Smith, R-Miss., and others asking Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to not grant Vietnam the status.