In light of recent developments in rice trade between Viet Nam and the Philippines, particularly the Philippines' initiation of a safeguard investigation into imported rice, and with a view to promptly exchanging views, addressing outstanding issues and promoting the implementation of cooperation activities in rice trade between the two countries, an inter-agency delegation led by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), together with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Vietnamese Embassy in the Philippines and the Viet Nam Food Association (VFA), worked with relevant ministries and agencies in the Philippines from August 19 to 21, 2026.

Stepping up rice trade cooperation

The delegation was led by Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan, with the participation of representatives from MoIT units, including the Agency of Foreign Trade, the Trade Remedies Authority of Viet Nam, the Department of Foreign Market Development, the Department of Legal Affairs and the Multilateral Trade Policy Department, as well as representatives from MAE, MOFA, the Vietnamese Embassy in the Philippines, the Viet Nam Trade Office in the Philippines and VFA.

Prior to the visit, in order to directly discuss issues of mutual concern in rice trade relations, MoIT, in coordination with the Vietnamese Embassy in the Philippines, proposed working sessions with the Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA), the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine Tariff Commission (TC).

At the working sessions arranged with DTI, TC and DA during the visit, the two sides focused on discussing the safeguard investigation into imported rice, difficulties in rice trade activities, as well as the implementation of bilateral cooperation frameworks in this field.

At the working session with DTI, the two sides affirmed the importance of the Viet Nam-Philippines Enhanced Strategic Partnership and the role of rice trade in bilateral economic cooperation. The Philippine side highly valued Viet Nam's role as a stable and reliable rice supplier, which has significantly contributed to ensuring food security and stabilizing the domestic market in the Philippines. The two sides agreed to continue coordinating closely to effectively implement the Memorandum of Understanding on rice trade cooperation between Viet Nam and the Philippines, maintain a stable supply chain, and harmonize the interests of producers, businesses and consumers of both countries.

Regarding the safeguard investigation into imported rice, DTI stated that TC is the agency conducting the investigation under an independent, quasi-judicial mechanism, while affirming that DTI and relevant agencies will continue to monitor and coordinate to ensure that the case is reviewed in an objective and transparent manner, in accordance with the regulations of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA). The two sides also agreed to maintain regular information exchange to limit undesirable impacts on bilateral trade activities.

The Philippine side took note of and will study Viet Nam's proposal to upgrade the existing rice trade Memorandum of Understanding or to develop a cooperation framework with a higher level of legal standing and stability between the two countries, so as to ensure that rice trade activities proceed smoothly, in line with international legal regulations and actual market conditions.

In addition to agricultural trade matters, the two sides also discussed several other areas of economic cooperation, such as energy investment and infrastructure development. DTI also expressed appreciation for Viet Nam's active support for the Philippines' process of applying to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The Vietnamese side took note of the Philippine side's request to open the market to e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, and will discuss the matter with relevant Vietnamese ministries and sectors.

On the same day, the delegation held talks with TC for further discussions on issues related to the safeguard investigation into imported rice. At the meeting, MoIT presented a summary of the views, information and arguments contained in the comments Viet Nam has submitted to TC in recent times, while also requesting that TC study and assess the case in the overall context of the market, the implementation of the Philippine Government's rice import policies (including import tariff reductions and the issuance of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPS-IC) permits), the role of imported rice in ensuring supply, stabilizing prices and safeguarding food security, as well as the impacts on Philippine businesses and consumers.

A TC representative highly valued the cooperation and active participation of the Vietnamese Government, VFA and relevant businesses in the investigation process, particularly the views, information and arguments presented in Viet Nam's 20-page comments submitted to TC, which pointed out shortcomings in the preliminary investigation report. The Philippine side affirmed that the entire investigation process will be conducted fairly, objectively and transparently, in accordance with WTO and ATIGA regulations, and committed to fully considering the information, arguments and evidence provided by relevant parties before issuing its final recommendation. TC also requested that Vietnamese ministries, sectors, VFA and businesses continue to actively participate in the public hearing scheduled to be held in September 2026.

Facilitating rice import and export activities

At the working session with DA, the two sides focused on discussing the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on rice trade cooperation, solutions to facilitate rice import and export activities between the two countries, and orientations for cooperation in the coming time.

The Philippine side highly valued the role of Vietnamese rice in ensuring supply and stabilizing the domestic market. Although the Philippines is pursuing a policy of diversifying its import sources, it affirmed that Vietnam remains a stable, key rice supplier for the Philippines, with Vietnamese rice continuing to be highly regarded by importers and consumers there thanks to its consistent quality and suitability to local consumer preferences.

One of the key topics of the session was the discussion of difficulties related to SPS-IC issuance procedures. The Vietnamese side raised concerns that a number of signed export contracts have faced difficulties during implementation due to delays in issuing SPS-IC permits. The two sides agreed to continue coordinating at the technical level, tasking VFA and the Philippines Rice Traders Association (PRIA) as focal points to exchange lists, review specific cases, facilitate trade activities and ensure that the supply chain is not disrupted.

The two sides agreed to continue effectively implementing Article 2 on areas of cooperation and implementation mechanisms as stipulated in the Memorandum of Understanding between MoIT and DA on rice trade cooperation, in order to monitor and address difficulties that may arise during the import and export process between the two countries.

The Vietnamese side also proposed that the two sides study the possibility of developing a rice trade cooperation framework at a higher level than the current Memorandum of Understanding, thereby creating a stable, long-term foundation for bilateral rice trade relations and ensuring harmonized interests among farmers, businesses and consumers of both countries, while contributing to sustainable livelihoods for rice farmers and helping to stabilize the lives of Philippine people. The Philippine side took note of and will study this proposal.

In addition to the working sessions with Philippine state management agencies, on August 21, 2026, VFA held a meeting with PRIA to discuss market developments, import demand in the coming period, as well as difficulties arising during the implementation of trade contracts. The two sides agreed to continue strengthening information exchange, supporting businesses in trade connections, and coordinating to address emerging difficulties, thereby helping to maintain a stable, sustainable and mutually beneficial rice trade relationship between Vietnam and the Philippines.