US corporations seek to lower tariffs on imported goods from Vietnam
The U.S. and Vietnam are currently engaged in active bilateral tariff negotiations, with the latest update taking place around July 10, 2025. The U.S. announced a trade deal on July 2, 2025, imposing a 20 percent reciprocal tariff on most goods from Vietnam [1][3].
The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Hanoi has called for tariff reductions, emphasizing that higher tariffs hurt American business interests in Vietnam, particularly those involved in investment and supply chain operations there. They argue that reducing tariffs would benefit U.S. companies operating in Vietnam and strengthen bilateral trade relations, although detailed public statements from AmCham specifically on the July 2025 negotiation round are limited in the available sources.
During Donald Trump's trade war, Vietnam was one of the main beneficiaries as producers shifted from China. However, the tariffs on Vietnam, initially announced in April, have not been lifted despite a 90-day pause authorized by the U.S. President for more talks with affected countries [4].
The U.S. approach, under the Trump administration, has focused on countering trade imbalances and transshipment concerns, leading to tariffs designed to disincentivize shifts in supply chains that undermine U.S. tariff policy on China [3][5]. Vietnam plays a complex role by balancing its economic ties between China and Western markets, making trade negotiations sensitive.
The tariffs on Vietnam are not dependent on Hanoi removing all its tariffs and non-tariff barriers on U.S. goods. The U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lattner has stated that Vietnam serves as a "channel" for Chinese goods seeking to avoid U.S. tariffs [2]. Among the U.S. companies heavily reliant on Vietnam are Apple, Intel, and Nike [6].
The American Chamber of Commerce in Hanoi has emphasized that tariff measures could undermine the logical conclusion of the U.S. political goals in diversifying supply chains [4]. They do not mention China in their letter but call on the U.S. government to view the trend towards a deficit as a sign of success in diversifying supply chains in the Indo-Pacific region during Trump's first term [7].
As negotiations continue, the situation remains dynamic, with further negotiations and possible tariff adjustments expected later in 2025 [1][3][5]. The American Chamber of Commerce in Hanoi continues to push for reduced tariffs to facilitate smoother trade and investment flows, especially to address challenges posed by these elevated tariff rates on Vietnamese goods entering the U.S. market.
References: 1. BBC News 2. Reuters 3. The Diplomat 4. The Washington Post 5. The New York Times 6. CNBC 7. Vietnam News
- The American Chamber of Commerce in Hanoi advocates for tariff reductions, arguing that higher tariffs on goods from Vietnam could harm U.S. businesses, particularly those involved in investment and supply chain operations there, and could undermine the logical conclusion of the U.S.'s political goals in diversifying supply chains.
- Among the U.S. companies heavily reliant on Vietnam are Apple, Intel, and Nike, indicating a significant impact on the technology and finance sectors if tariffs remain in place.
- The ongoing tariff negotiations between the U.S. and Vietnam in the context of bilateral trade, finance, business, politics, and general-news are dynamic and complex, with the potential for further negotiations and possible tariff adjustments later in 2025.
