Businesses Split on New Vietnam Tariffs

Companies submitted divided comments as the Trump administration weighs new duties on Vietnamese goods tied to an intellectual property probe.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in International Trade

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Do you support new US tariffs on goods imported from Vietnam?

Businesses submitted divided comments on whether the United States should propose new tariffs on Vietnamese goods. The Trump administration set a November 29 deadline to conclude its trade probe into alleged intellectual property violations by Vietnam.

Why it matters

The outcome could reshape tariff levels on one of the largest sources of US goods imports, with the US running its biggest goods surplus with Vietnam. Many economists have said the administration's goal is to reimpose at least the tariff level the Supreme Court struck down.

The US general tariff on Vietnamese goods stands at 12.5%, imposed in July after a forced-labour import probe, down from the 20% rate struck down by the Supreme Court. Whether new duties follow before the November 29 probe deadline has not been decided.

The players

Samsung

Samsung is a South Korean electronics giant and Vietnam's largest foreign investor, having put about $25 billion into the country.

Tesla

Tesla is an American electric vehicle and energy company that urged US trade officials to weigh the supply chain needs of American manufacturers.

The details

Tesla urged the US Trade Representative to consider American manufacturers' supply chain needs, while Samsung's US unit said Vietnam produces a significant share of its smartphones and network equipment for the US market. The Business Software Alliance cited a 2017 survey finding about three-quarters of software on Vietnamese personal computers was unlicensed.

May 2026: The Trump administration launched the trade probe into Vietnam's alleged intellectual property violations.
July 2026: The US imposed a general 12.5% tariff on Vietnamese goods after a forced-labour import investigation.
November 29, 2026: The deadline to conclude the Vietnam intellectual property probe.

Market Dynamics

The probe follows the Supreme Court's decision striking down the Liberation Day tariffs, which had imposed 20% duties on Vietnamese goods. Many economists view the new effort as an attempt to reimpose at least that level of tariffs through a separate legal path.

Importers of Vietnamese goods could face higher duties if new tariffs are proposed, affecting costs for electronics and other products sourced from Vietnam. The final tariff level will determine whether current 12.5% rates rise toward earlier levels.

The takeaway

Businesses with supply chains in Vietnam should track the November 29 deadline closely, since the outcome could change landed costs quickly. Diversifying sourcing or reviewing tariff exposure now can reduce risk if duties are reimposed.

What happens next

The US trade probe into Vietnam's intellectual property practices is scheduled to conclude by November 29, when the administration is expected to decide whether to propose new tariffs.