Time: November 2025 By: WTO and International Trade Group, Legal Department – VCCI

Is the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) ready for a new era of trade coercion? The answer will depend on each nation, but Asean members want to look unified and pragmatic.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, exports to the US and China face challenges, but Vietnamese goods continue to accelerate despite fluctuations in tariffs and war.

The US’s decision to impose high tariffs on a range of Vietnamese exports, including wood products and furniture, is pushing the country’s timber industry to swiftly recalibrate its strategies to sustain growth.

A 20% U.S. tax forces Vietnamese firms to restructure strategies, improve product origin traceability, and explore new markets.

In response to U.S. reciprocal tariffs, some Vietnamese wood manufacturers are considering producing on the American soil, said Ngo Sy Hoai, vice chairman and general secretary of the Vietnam Timber and Forest Products Association (Viforest).

Vietnam is facing an important turning point as the world enters the stage of restructuring the global supply chain.

Starting August 7, a 20% tariff combined with a series of technical barriers is putting heavy pressure on Vietnamese exports to the United States, forcing businesses to restructure production and business models to adapt.

Vietnam’s garment industry faces U.S. tariff hike, turning challenges into opportunities.

The shift in United States trade policy and reciprocal tariffs is prompting the Vietnamese business community to reassess its export strategies, while also creating opportunities to innovate, enhance operational efficiency, and strengthen sustainable competitiveness.