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.
Import-Export: Vietnam trade turnover tops US$78.6 billion in May
Vietnam’s total import-export turnover in May reached US$78.64 billion, up 5.8 percent month-on-month and 15.5 percent year-on-year, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office. In the first five months of 2025, total trade hit US$355.79 billion, up 15.7 percent compared to the same period last year.
Trade: US Commerce Secretary rules out zero-tariff deal with Vietnam over China concerns: Politico
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told a hearing Wednesday the Trump administration would not accept a reciprocal zero-tariff agreement with Vietnam, citing fears that Chinese goods could enter the US through Vietnam to bypass tariffs, according to a report from Politico.
Trade: Vietnam hires US$15K a month PR firm to tackle tariff threats
As trade tensions escalate with Washington, Vietnam has enlisted the help of two politically connected US firms—Crowell Global Advisors and Tactic Global—to manage its response to the Trump administration’s proposed 46 percent tariff on Vietnamese imports, O’Dwyer PR has reported.
Trade: US pushes Vietnam to cut reliance on China amid tariff talks
The US has submitted a detailed annex of “tough” trade requests to Vietnam with key demands that include reducing imports from China and tightening control over supply chain origins, Reuters has reported.
Trade: Vietnam’s imports from China climb 2.19 percent in April
In April, Vietnam imported goods worth US$15.06 billion from China, representing a 2.19 percent increase compared to March. This brought the year-to-date total to US$53.16 billion, according to the latest data from Vietnam’s General department of Customs.
Trade: Vietnam ramps up commodity imports from Australia in April
Vietnam’s imports from Australia rose to US$688.85 million in April, up 3.24 percent from March, bringing the year-to-date total to US$2.44 billion, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. The growth was driven by surging coal shipments and strong gains across key industrial and agricultural commodities.
HSBC’s 2025 Global Trade Pulse Survey: Key Takeaways for Businesses in Vietnam
A total of 80 percent of Vietnamese firms have already faced rising costs due to tariff and trade uncertainty, according to HSBC’s 2025 Global Trade Pulse Survey. A further 82 percent expect this to continue in the short term.
Retail: Vietnam cracks down on counterfeit goods at Saigon Square
housands of items suspected of violating intellectual property laws were seized during a surprise inspection at Saigon Square on May 29, VN Express has reported. Brands targeted included Rolex, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, Hermès, Dior, and more, with counterfeit goods ranging from watches and handbags to eyewear and suitcases.
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.
In today’s Vietnam news: Arrest over book about Ho Chi Minh, HSR project disbursement, More coal power under consideration, MPS minister meets Japanese delivery
In today’s Vietnam news: New trading accounts, Consumer prices confusion, Political risk upgrade, LG expansion, Ease-of-doing business survey, VinFast price cut, Secondary apartment prices
In today’s Vietnam news: Imported steel for stadium project, Some mining rights assigned without auction, Indonesia / Philippines VN tobacco law trade intervention, FDI
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