The Vietnamese government has begun tightening controls on materials used in imports and exports in line with changes in U.S. tariff policies. In particular, it has issued strict guidelines on quality and origin management of production materials as a preemptive measure to address U.S. concerns that Vietnam is being used as a bypass route for Chinese exports.
According to VnExpress, on Sunday, the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade sent official documents to export associations and businesses, recommending strict control over input materials in response to recent shifts in the U.S.-driven global trade policy. The ministry stressed that materials used by companies must strictly meet the importing countries’ standards for quality, origin, and traceability. These measures aim to prevent trade sanctions or investigations and maintain international trust in Vietnamese products.
Vietnamese companies were also advised to reduce reliance on single-source suppliers and actively pursue diversification of trade partners and export markets. Industry associations are expected to support member companies in diversifying raw material supply chains and promptly sharing information on trade policy changes. The Ministry of Industry and Trade focuses on increasingly stringent regulations in importing countries related to food hygiene and safety, prevention of commercial fraud, and product traceability. These criteria are regarded as key factors directly tied to the international credibility of Vietnamese goods.
This move comes as Vietnam launched bilateral tariff negotiations with the United States last week and is seen as an attempt to address American concerns proactively. The U.S. has consistently expressed worries about major Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam being used as indirect export bases for Chinese products.
On April 9, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 90-day provisional suspension of reciprocal tariff impositions. However, the baseline 10% tariff rate remains in effect, and the possibility of further adjustments remains, prompting the Vietnamese government to stay alert.
In connection with this, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has decided to form a trade negotiation delegation for talks with the United States, appointing Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien as its head. The delegation aims to negotiate a balanced and mutually beneficial trade agreement between the two countries.
Meanwhile, according to the General Statistics Office of Vietnam, the country’s total import and export value in the first quarter of 2025 reached $202.5 billion, marking an approximately 14% increase compared to last year. Exports rose by 10.6%, and imports by 17%, with processed industrial goods accounting for over 88% of total exports. Additionally, production materials accounted for 94% of total imports, emerging as a core import category.
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