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US Probes Vietnam IP Rights, Tariffs Loom
30 May
Summary
- US launches new trade probe into Vietnam's IP rights handling.
- Investigation could lead to additional tariffs on Vietnamese imports.
- Vietnam designated 'priority foreign country' for IP issues.
The United States has launched a new Section 301 trade investigation into Vietnam's intellectual property rights (IPR) handling. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) will scrutinize Vietnam's policies and enforcement of IPR and their impact on U.S. commerce.
This probe is one of three ongoing Section 301 investigations into Vietnam, with others addressing excess manufacturing capacity and forced labor. The USTR previously designated Vietnam as a 'priority foreign country' for IPR issues in April, a classification not given in 13 years. This investigation could lead to additional tariffs on imports from Vietnam.
Vietnam's Prime Minister has stated commitment to combating IP violations. However, trade talks between Washington and Hanoi remain unresolved, with disputes over transshipment, market access, and Vietnam's growing trade surplus, which reached $178.2 billion in 2025.
