How can businesses in Vietnam maintain their presence in the United States market and thrive there? This article explores several ways that can help businesses navigate challenges, overcome tariff barriers, and secure their foothold in the U.S. With over US$120 billion in export revenue generated in 2024, the U.S. market remains a vital driver of Vietnam’s economic growth. However, this market is presenting formidable challenges for Vietnamese exporters. The tightening of trade measures and the ripple effects of U.S. President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs have transformed the U.S. market into a tough arena. Strict control over material origins As Vietnam’s trade surplus with the U.S. amounted to an estimated US$110 billion in 2024, the Trump administration has leveraged rules of origin (ROO) as a tool to combat “masked” Chinese goods evading tariffs through Vietnam. U.S. customs now demand comprehensive certificates of origin (C/O), Form B, factory inspections, tier-2 and tier-3 supplier lists, and regional value content of 35-40%. Key Vietnamese exporting industries, including textile, garment, footwear, and electronics, are under mounting pressure as many of their materials, such as fabrics, leather, and electronic components, are sourced from China, which is subject to the highest U.S. tariffs. Proving “pure origin” or […]