United States opens third Vietnam trade investigation
PUBLISHED May 31, 2026, 8:16 AM ET
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The United States has opened a third trade investigation into Vietnam in three months, intensifying scrutiny of the export-dependent country’s economic practices. On May 29, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative initiated a Section 301 probe into Vietnam’s intellectual property protection and enforcement policies, a process that can lead to new tariffs if violations are confirmed. Vietnam was designated a “priority foreign country” for intellectual property concerns in late April, the first such designation in 13 years. The new inquiry follows existing Section 301 investigations into alleged excess manufacturing capacity and forced labour, and could affect supply chains and consumer prices in the United States.
By Lauren Mitchell | JQJO News
Timeline of Events
- Late April 2024 Vietnam named priority foreign country
- Late April 2024 First such IP designation since 2011
- Past three months Two prior Vietnam trade investigations
- May 29 2024 USTR launches third Section 301 probe
- May 29 2024 New probe targets intellectual property enforcement
- Recent weeks Vietnam requests objective, fair U.S. assessment
- Coming months Consultation process creates business uncertainty
- Future period Potential new tariffs threaten supply chains
News Intelligence
- The ongoing trade investigations into Vietnam could impact your wallet. If the U.S. confirms violations and imposes new tariffs, it could raise prices on goods from Vietnam. This includes items like clothing, footwear, and electronics. Keep an eye on this situation if you're a frequent shopper of these products.
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