Vietnamese exports face US trade defense measures

As of late May, the US launched 55 trade defense investigations against Vietnam, which accounted for nearly 25 percent of the total number of anti-dumping investigations against Vietnamese exports.

The US has tightened its trade defense protocols on imports, especially those from Vietnam, making exports to this market increasingly challenging, stated Counsellor and head of the Vietnam Trade Office in the US, Do Ngoc Hung.

Hung identifies the US as the globe's primary importer, boasting an annual value surpassing US$3 trillion. Data from the US International Trade Commission (USITC) reveals that in the initial six months of this year, the US boasted a trade surplus approximating US$500 billion, underscoring its allure and status as a prime target for global exporters. Nevertheless, the US market is notably rigorous, imposing exacting standards and demands on a multitude of products.

He noted that in order to reduce its trade surplus, the US has, and will continue to apply more trade defense measures.

As of late May, the US launched 55 trade defense investigations against Vietnam, which accounted for nearly 25 percent of the total number of anti-dumping investigations against Vietnamese exports. The investigations covered a wide range of products, from Vietnam’s key currency earners such as steel, wood, aquatic products, apparel, tires, and high-pressure washers, to items of smaller export value like honey, grass trimmers, foam mattresses, and woven bags, he said.

According to him, the US Department of Commerce (DOC) has proposed amendments and supplements several provisions on anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations, with a focus on labor-related policies and increased competition against unfair practices from imported goods.

Steel is one of the Vietnamese products subjected to trade defense investigations by the US. Photo: VNA

To protect the legitimate interests of businesses and maintain a balanced, sustainable trade relationship between Vietnam and the US, various discussions and negotiations have taken place between leaders of the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and the US side, such as the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) and the DOC, VNS reported.

The MoIT suggested the DOC conduct investigations with objectivity and fairness, providing the Vietnamese exporters with sufficient time to explain and supply information to investigating authorities for verification. In cases the DOC decides to apply anti-circumvention measures, Vietnam proposed that the US adopt a simple and convenient mechanism for Vietnamese manufacturers and exporters to confirm their compliance with anti-dumping measures, thus preventing additional burden on Vietnamese exporters.

In the current context, Hung said Vietnam needs to make the best use of resources from the Government and businesses, closely monitor the situation, and deal with issues flexibly and decisively to protect its interests in the world's largest market.

He suggested that Vietnamese firms should equip themselves with knowledge about legal regulations on trade defense measures of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the US in particular, adding that the MoIT also regularly holds workshops and training sessions on trade defense topics.

It is also essential to establish relationships and join and collaborate with relevant associations in the US, in order to gain additional information and enhance exchanges. This could help avoid situations in which US businesses initiate lawsuits against Vietnamese companies, he said.

Vietnam makes efforts to develop a domestic carbon market

In the context that about 70 countries and territories have applied carbon pricing instruments, experts held that Vietnam should also apply such tools, especially by developing the domestic carbon market, in order to support the realization of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction target.

Following the Paris Climate Accords, Vietnam must fulfill its mandatory obligation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 according to the Nationally Determined Contribution. The country also needs to make efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions towards the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

In Vietnam, the voluntary exchange of carbon credits with the world has been carried out by businesses since the mid-2000s in projects and programs under the Clean Development Mechanism - a United Nations-run carbon offset scheme, cited VNA.

Photo: VNA

Data from the Department of Climate Change under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment show that to date, more than 300 programs and projects have registered to be implemented with carbon credit mechanisms. Of these, about 150 programs and projects were granted more than 40.2 million carbon credits which have been exchanged on the world carbon market.

Ha Long City welcomes over 6.8 million visitors in nine months

In the first 9 months of 2023, Ha Long City in the northern province of Quang Ninh, welcomed over 6.8 million visitors, an increase of 16% over the same period in 2022.

Of the total, international visitors reached 895,000.

During the period, the city’s tourism sector earned VND15,096 billion in tourism revenue, up 27% year-on-year.

In September alone, the city received 640,000 visitors, an increase of nearly 50% over the same period last year, with 97,200 of them being foreigners.

The total revenue from tourism last month was estimated at VND1,408 billion, up 46% year-on-year, cited NDO.

Ha Long Bay greets nearly 2 million visitors, including 360,000 foreigners, since the beginning of this year (Photo: baoquangninh.vn)

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has recently added Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago to the World Heritage List, giving a boost to the tourism development of Ha Long City and Quang Ninh Province in general.

Accordingly, Ha Long Bay greeted nearly 2 million visitors, including 360,000 foreigners, since the beginning of this year.

This year, Ha Long City targets to serve 8.5 million holidaymakers and gain more than VND18 trillion in tourism revenue.

Vietnamese citizens in Israel remain safe amid escalating conflict

The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel reported on October 7 (local time) that the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian territories in recent days has been complex, and the violence has caused hundreds of casualties, according to the information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel has proactively implemented various measures to protect its citizens, including posting announcements on the official social media page of the Embassy, advising and instructing on security measures to ensure the safety of citizens, and providing contact information in case of need.

The Embassy has deployed officers to maintain regular contact with the Vietnamese community in Israel to continuously update information and closely coordinate with relevant local authorities and diplomatic missions in the area to implement measures to protect Vietnamese citizens.

So far, Vietnamese citizens, including the Vietnamese community in Israel, officials on business trips, and tourists, have remained safe, VNS reported.

Per the foreign ministry's instructions, the Vietnamese Embassy in Israel will continue to closely monitor the situation, maintain regular contact with the Vietnamese community, and develop a suitable plan for citizen protection in response to the evolving conflict and ensure the safety of Vietnamese citizens.

The foreign ministry advises Vietnamese citizens to temporarily avoid areas of conflict. Vietnamese citizens in the region should closely monitor the situation, take necessary security measures, comply strictly with local government regulations, avoid large gatherings, and limit travel.

They should immediately contact the Vietnamese Embassy in Israel for assistance when needed.

Vietnamese citizens in need of assistance can contact the Vietnamese Embassy in Israel at the following phone numbers: 972-50-818-6116 and +972-52-727-4248, +972-50-994-0889, or the Citizen Protection Hotline of the Consular Department at +84 981 84 84 84.

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