Vietnam Expresses Regret Over US Tariff Hike Under Section 301

Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed regret over the decision by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to impose a new tariff of 12.5% on goods from economies investigated under Section 301. A spokesperson for the ministry stated that the decision does not fully reflect Vietnam's actual efforts and endeavors in preventing, reducing, and eliminating forced labor. Vietnam emphasized its strict adherence to the regulations of the International Labour Organization (ILO), international conventions, and free trade agreements (FTAs) to which it is a party, including the prohibition of importing products made with forced labor. Specifically, the ministry pointed to Decree No. 292/2026/NĐ-CP, issued on July 22, 2026, which prohibits the import of goods that are wholly or partly exploited, produced, or manufactured through forced labor. Vietnam intends to continue dialogue with the United States in a constructive and cooperative spirit, urging the US to fully evaluate the measures Vietnam has implemented and its efforts in legal development and enforcement concerning the tariff rates applied to Vietnamese goods.