The workshop organized by the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency on August 18 in Hanoi aimed to support enterprises in expanding market share, ensuring legal compliance, and optimizing supply chains.

Trade scale grows strongly and demands a balanced trade balance

On the morning of August 18, the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (Ministry of Industry and Trade) organized the workshop "Developing Import-Export Business with the US Market" in a hybrid format combining in-person and online participation.

Delivering the opening speech at the event, Mr. Le Hoang Tai, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency, emphasized that the United States continues to be a key export market with substantial potential in technology and investment for Vietnam. To maintain long-term standing, enterprises must shift from price-based competition to enhancing quality, added value, and compliance capacity with international regulations.

Alongside export activities, increasing imports of machinery and source technology from the US serves as a practical solution to enhance domestic production capacity and move toward a harmonious, sustainable trade balance.

According to data from Mr. Do Ngoc Hung, Head of the Vietnam Trade Office in the United States, 2026 marks the 25-year milestone of implementing the Vietnam–US Bilateral Trade Agreement and over 3 years since establishing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Bilateral trade turnover expanded from 1.5 billion USD in 2001 to nearly 209.5 billion USD in 2025.

In the first 6 months of 2026, total two-way turnover reached approximately 132.4 billion USD, making Vietnam the 5th largest trading partner of the United States. However, import-export activities record a distinct divergence: the foreign-invested enterprise sector accounted for over 80% of total export turnover in the first 7 months of 2026, while the domestic enterprise sector accounted for merely 19.9% and ran a trade deficit of about 2.88 billion USD. This reality poses an urgent requirement to increase local content rates and enhance direct connectivity into international distribution chains.

Identifying technical barriers and legal compliance requirements

Beside large consumption potential from the US market of over 335 million people, US regulatory agencies are tightening provisions on economic security, rules of origin, and trade remedies. Mr. Do Ngoc Hung noted that enterprises must closely monitor Section 301 investigations, forced labor regulations with additional tariffs that can reach up to 25%, and supply chain control mandates. Origin records and production data for each shipment must be digitized and prepared synchronously from the outset to satisfy audit requirements from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Analyzing financial and legal aspects in depth, Ms. Dinh Dieu Linh, Managing Director of SzBCPA Tax Consulting Company in the US, stated that many exporting enterprises face pressures from prolonged payment cycles ranging from 60 to 120 days along with arising hidden costs. Notably, the US tax authority may apply a 30% revenue withholding tax payable to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) if contract files have deficiencies, while major states are tightening sales tax collections. Individuals or entities holding a 25% or greater share in a US business entity are mandated to complete Form 5472 to avoid financial penalties. Enterprises can utilize instruments such as bank document discounting, trade credit insurance, foreign exchange forward contracts, or establish a legal entity in the US to bid on large contract packages.

Solutions to enhance internal strength and expand supply chains

Sharing at the workshop, Mr. Vu Tu Thanh, Regional Deputy Managing Director of the US-ASEAN Business Council, announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plans to open a regional office in Hanoi to directly support quality control and certification workflows for food, agricultural products, and pharmaceuticals. For the technology sector, standards under the US National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) are opening headroom for Vietnamese enterprises in high-tech commodities such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or supporting components.

Regarding machinery imports, Ms. Ann Ha, Managing Director of Defenova Global Connect LLC, evaluated that semiconductors, mechanical equipment, aviation, and high-tech agriculture from the US are key resources helping Vietnamese enterprises narrow productivity gaps and absorb technology transfers.

Contributing practical experience, Mr. Tran Lich, Director of Vietnam Impact Startup Incubator and Accelerator (VISIA), recommended that enterprises proactively shift from pure toll-manufacturing models to autonomous design and product development aligned with consumer preferences. Collaborating closely with local partners, exploiting specialized distribution channels, researching partner profiles via international databases, and building collective trademarks will establish a solid foundation for penetrating deeply into the US market.

Source: Bao Nong nghiep va Moi truong