trade
The Trade category covers import/export trends, trade agreements, and global market movements. It explores foreign direct investment, tariff policies, logistics, and international business relations, providing insights into market access, supply chain resilience, and regulatory impacts on trade flows.
Trans shipping: To What Extent is Vietnam China’s backdoor to the U.S.?
Vietnam’s role as a transshipment hub for Chinese goods has become a key point of contention between the US and Vietnam. While there seems to be little question that this practice is taking place, there does seem to be some debate as to what extent. With this in mind, this article looks at a few key data points worth considering.
Trade & investment: US$10 billion in deals signed during Macron visit to Vietnam
Vietnam and France have signed 14 agreements covering aviation, defence, space, healthcare, transport, and energy, during the first official trip by a French president to Vietnam in nearly a decade, Reuters is reporting.
Animal fats and oils: Vietnam imports fall 10.55 percent in April despite surge from Malaysia
Vietnam imported US$124.43 million worth of animal and vegetable fats and oils in April, down 10.55 percent from March, according to the latest data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Total year-to-date imports reached US$457.81 million, with Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand the top suppliers.
Waste & scrap: Vietnam imports up 17.70 percent over March, Japan lead supplier
Vietnam’s imports of ferrous waste and scrap reached US$200.05 million in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a significant 17.70 percent increase compared to the import value in March, with a year-to-date import value of US$644.88 million for this category.
Sanctions: Three Vietnam firms added to EU Russia sanctions list named
Three Vietnamese companies have been added to the EU’s Russia sanctions list as of 21 May 2025. The firms are accused of supporting Russia’s military or energy sectors through trade facilitation or indirect circumvention of export controls, according to an EU Council Decision issued May 20.
Vietnam’s US Tariff Threat Prompted Counterfeit Crackdown: Unpacked
Counterfeit goods have been highlighted as one non-tariff barrier that led to the recently announced US tariffs on Vietnamese goods. Vietnam is now responding to try to bring down those tariffs by launching a crackdown on counterfeits. So, how prevalent is the counterfeit goods trade in Vietnam? Can it be stopped? And if it can, why hasn’t it been already?
Vietnam Trade Barriers 2025: USTR Trade Estimates Report Key Findings
The United States Trade Representative’s (USTR) 2025 National Trade Estimate (NTE) Report highlights persistent trade barriers and market access concerns in Vietnam. It has also been cited as a basis for the “reciprocal” tariffs announced by the Trump administration at the start of April and therefore warrants a deeper look. This article breaks down the key details.
Trade: Dry cargo shortage insurance claims surge in Vietnam ports
Dry cargo shortage insurance claims in Cai Mep and Phu My ports have nearly tripled between 2020 and 2024, according to Gard P&I Club and reported by Safety4Sea. Affected cargoes include soybean meal, corn, and fertilisers, with claims are generally low value but high frequency, raising cumulative risk
Chemicals: Vietnam chemical imports edge down 4 percent in April
Vietnam imported US$656.78 million worth of chemical products in April 2025, down 3.98 percent from March, according to the latest data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Total year-to-date imports reached US$2.47 billion, with China, South Korea and Japan the top suppliers.
Trade: Vietnam pushes domestic firms to pressure US policy makers on tariffs
Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, in a conference last week, urged businesses to send letters of protest to US agencies with respect to the “reciprocal tariffs” announced last month to help put pressure on the Trump administration. This is part of a series of broader moves to see those tariffs reduced to a more manageable level.
Electronics: Vietnam imports sees slight dip in April, still strong YTD
Vietnam’s imports of computers, electrical products, spare parts, and components thereof reached US$11.24 billion in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a 2.18 percent decrease compared to the import value in March. However, the year-to-date import value for this sector remains substantial at US$42.88 billion.
Sanctions: EU to target Vietnamese companies aiding Russian sanctions evasion
For the first time, the European Union plans to sanction a Vietnamese company for allegedly assisting Russia in bypassing trade restrictions, as part of its 17th sanctions package since the Ukraine invasion, the Financial Times is reporting.
Trade: US-Vietnam trade grows in April post-US tariff announcement
Vietnam’s exports to the United States in April reached US$12.02 billion, up 1.5 percent from US$11.85 billion in March, according to the latest data from Vietnam Customs. Imports from the US were also up, reaching US$1.57 billion, an increase 4.3 percent from US$1.50 billion in March.
Trade: Vietnam’s import-export turnover up 15.7 percent year-to-date, surplus narrows
Vietnam’s April trade turnover reached US$74.32 billion, down 1.4 percent from March, up 21.3 percent year-on-year, according to the latest data from the National Office of Statistics. Year to date, total trade reached US$276.89, up 15.7 percent year-on-year.
Vietnam News Roundup: April 25 to May 1
This week’s Vietnam news roundup covers Vietnam’s response to the proposed 46 percent US tariff, VinFast’s latest earnings, World Bank forecasts, SBV market activity, and more.
Vietnam’s cashew nut exports surge by 92.44 percent in March
Vietnam’s cashew nut exports rose sharply by 92.44 percent in March compared to February, reaching US$384.19 million, according to data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam’s imports of motor vehicle parts rose nearly 17 percent in March
Vietnam imported US$480.83 million worth of parts and accessories of motor vehicles in March, up 16.78 percent from February, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. The year-to-date import value stood at US$1.27 billion.
Vietnam’s bamboo and rattan exports rise by 39.20 percent in March
Vietnam’s bamboo and rattan exports surged by 39.20 percent in March compared to February, reaching US$78.44 million, according to data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam’s paper imports rose nearly 17 percent in March
Vietnam imported US$217.13 million worth of paper in March, a 16.95 percent increase from February, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. The total import value for the first three months of the year reached US$557.21 million.
US tariffs: insights from US-based Vietnam Trade Counselor
The US will prioritize negotiations with several countries, including Vietnam, India, the UK, Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia in tariff talks, Do Ngoc Hung, Trade Counselor at the Vietnam Trade Office in the US has told a conference, as reported by Cafe F. This comes as the end of a 90-day pause on a 46 percent import tariff on Vietnamese goods draws uncomfortably nearer.
In today’s Vietnam news: VN renews antidumping tariffs on Thai sugar, Power supply challenges continue, USTR tariffs forced labour, AMRO growth forecast downgrade, Foreign
In today’s Vietnam news: Fund outflows May, New HCMC airport trial operations to begin September, M&A HCMC 2026, Compensation for gas-to-electric bike switch Hanoi,
In today’s Vietnam news: Vietnam gene company planned Hong Kong IPO, Samsung signs DPPA, Oil delivery from Iraq, Bio-fuel mandate roll-out reaction, Stock market
This is an interview with Chris Walker, a Vietnam Sourcing Expert with Vietnam Factory Tours how rising oil prices and the Middle East crisis are
This is an interview with John Gardner, CEO and Founding Partner, at Optimum Hospitality in Ho Chi Minh City. It covers fuel price impacts on:
This is an interview with Dr Nuno F. Ribeiro, Associate Professor, International Tourism & Hospitality Management at Copenhagen Business College, formerly of RMIT Vietnam. It