Vietnam still holds opportunities for continued steel, aluminum exports to US: official
Vietnam's steel and aluminum products are renowned for their competitive prices and high quality, offering significant value to the US economy by helping curb inflation and fostering stronger bilateral trade ties, a point echoed by many importing nations.
Vietnam’s aluminum and aluminum product exports to the US reached around 479 million USD in 2024, up 9.5% from the previous year. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - Despite the US’s imposition of 25% tariff on imported steel and aluminum, Vietnam still holds promising opportunities to continue its exports to the US market as US producers have yet to fully meet domestic demand, said Commercial Counsellor Do Ngoc Hung, Head of the Vietnam Trade Office in the US.
However, the new tariffs could squeeze profit margins for Vietnamese exporters, making it crucial for businesses to adapt swiftly, Hung said.
On the bright side, Vietnam's steel and aluminum products are renowned for their competitive prices and high quality, offering significant value to the US economy by helping curb inflation and fostering stronger bilateral trade ties, a point echoed by many importing nations.
Domestic firms should come up with appropriate business strategies, diversify their markets, and leverage free trade agreements (FTAs) with other countries to avoid over-reliance on the US as a single destination, Hung said, adding that equally important is ensuring strict compliance with the US's regulations on product origin and being proactive in preparing for trade defence investigations.
🌳 They should also strengthen collaboration with the Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, as well as Vietnam’s diplomatic representatives abroad to monitor the situation and respond effectively.
According to the official, Vietnam's steel and aluminum exports to the US remain subject to 25% and 10% tariffs, respectively, which has been in effect since 2018 for most countries.
The new tariffs are predicted to disrupt global supply chains, prompting countries facing export hurdles to redirect shipments to alternative markets, including Vietnam.
In fact, according to US Customs data, Vietnam’s steel and steel product exports to the US soared to around 983 million USD in 2024, up nearly 159% year on year. Key exports included galvanized steel (HS 7210.49), aluminum-zinc coated steel (HS 7210.61), plastic-coated steel (HS 7210.70), stainless steel (HS 7219.34), and alloy steel (HS 7209.16).
ꦍ Similarly, Vietnam’s aluminum and aluminum product exports to the US reached around 479 million USD in 2024, up 9.5% from the previous year, mostly kitchen cabinets, aluminum tables and interior décor (HS 7615.10), aluminum alloys (HS 7604.21), and aluminum bars and wires (HS 7604.29)./.
In January, Vietnam’s export to the US reached 9.8 billion USD, while import stood at 1.3 billion USD, resulting in a trade surplus of 8.5 billion USD.
Statistics showed that since 2024, there have been 27 documented cases involving Sunview raisins, resulting in fines of over 536 million VND (21,440 USD), primarily due to the sale of smuggled goods and products of unclear origin.
As the US prepares for a power transition, the future of Vietnam-US trade cooperation hangs in the balance, filled with both opportunities and challenges, heard a recent seminar co-hosted by the Ho Chi Minh City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC), the US-Vietnam Business Council, and the Institute for Vietnam Initiatives (IVI) on January 8.
Sun PhuQuoc Airways was born as a perfect piece in Sun Group’s strategic vision to build a premium ecosystem of tourism, entertainment, real estate, and aviation. With a pioneering ambition, Sun PhuQuoc Airways is not just an airline, but a symbol of connection – bringing the world to Phu Quoc and taking Phu Quoc to the world.
A key change in the draft decree is a provision requiring bank transfers for gold transactions valued at 20 million VND (765 USD) and above, to enhance transparency and verify customer identities.
In the first four months of 2025, trade turnover between Vietnam and Cambodia surpassed 3 billion USD, marking a 7% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
On June 19 alone, a total of 2,005 trucks completed customs clearance at Lang Son’s border gates — the highest single-day figure ever recorded in the province. Of these, 634 carried exports and 1,371 imports.
The OECD Economic Surveys: Vietnam 2025 report focuses on analysing the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals, the impact of international integration on attracting foreign investment and trade, and the country’s prospects for developing a low-carbon economy.
Antoine Colin, Senior Vice President for Global Supply Chain Digital Transformation & Resilience at HP Inc., affirmed HP’s strategic commitment to building a supply chain and ecosystem in Vietnam and the region.
Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT)’s Trade Promotion Agency Bui Quang Hung emphasised that logistics has evolved from a technical function into a core capability for Vietnamese exporters to maintain their competitive advantage in the US market.
A trade official has suggested companies work closely with shipping lines, airlines, and freight forwarders to monitor routes, transit times, and potential surcharges while exploring broader cargo insurance to cover risks like war and terrorism.
In addition to institutional reform, the agency is also rolling out key solution groups to combat counterfeit goods, imitations, and intellectual property infringements in the digital environment.
The event, co-organised by the Vietnam Trade Office in the UK and TT Meridian, a local importer of Vietnamese fresh produce, aims to build a national lychee brand and encourage broader recognition of Vietnamese fruits in a competitive, high-end market.
The industry's performance has been powered by bold investments in modern production lines, enabling Vietnamese firms to produce complicated products which were exclusive to advanced economies.
Outcomes of ABAC III will shape ABAC’s final policy recommendations to be submitted to the ABAC-APEC leaders’ dialogue, scheduled to take place in the Republic of Korea this November.
This is the second year the magazine has released the ranking, which is based on total revenue and key financial indicators of enterprises from seven countries in the region: Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Cambodia.
At the summit, publishing, tech, and media sectors will discuss emerging trends, business models, and sustainable solutions for digital publishing development in Vietnam.
This year’s “Vietnam Goods Week” marks a significant milestone as it is being held simultaneously for the first time in four locations across Asia: Japan, Hong Kong (China), Cambodia, and Malaysia, from June 19 - 22.
According to NordCham Vietnam Chairman Thue Quist Thomasen, the Vietnamese Government’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 is both a challenge and an opportunity for businesses to contribute to green and sustainable growth.