Former President Donald Trump’s remark distancing the US from producing items like “sneakers and T-shirts” has been welcomed by Vietnamese textile and footwear leaders as a sign that US tariffs may spare essential consumer goods like apparel, Tuoi Tre is reporting.
Industry leaders see it as a positive signal amid a 90-day suspension of reciprocal US tariffs—but remain wary of deeper vulnerabilities.
Keep perspectives in the article include:
- Pham Xuan Hong, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Textile, Embroidery and Knitting Association, called Trump’s statement a “green light” for Vietnam’s exporters. While noting Vietnam’s political stability and skilled workforce as competitive edges, he cautioned that Trump’s trade policies remain unpredictable. “We can be optimistic, but we still need to be cautious,” he said.
- Pham Quang Anh, Director of Dony Garment Company, said flexibility and geopolitical alignment could give Vietnam an upper hand in the post-tariff landscape. He urged exporters to accelerate production during the temporary reprieve, viewing it as a chance to “create a turning point” for the industry.
- Nguyen Van Khanh, Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh City Leather and Footwear Association, welcomed Trump’s comments and the suspension, highlighting Vietnam’s competitive pricing and agility in production. He sees these as crucial advantages, especially with buyers rushing to secure shipments before the July 9 deadline.
- Yet all three leaders acknowledged the structural weakness that threatens long-term competitiveness: Vietnam’s dependence on imported materials, particularly from China.
- Pham Van Viet, Chairman of Viet Thang Jean Company, was blunt: “Self-sufficiency in raw materials is no longer a matter of choice, but a vital requirement.” Without domestic input development, he warned, Vietnam will remain vulnerable to future tariff shocks and trade disruptions.
Industry insiders see Trump’s rhetoric and the current tariff suspension as a short-term opening—but say Vietnam must act decisively to localise material supply chains if it wants to remain a key player in the global garment and footwear trade.
See also: Garment Manufacturing in Vietnam