Seven Vietnamese export product groups at risk of trade remedy investigations

Seven Vietnamese export product groups at risk of trade remedy investigations

Wood products facing potential scrutiny include upholstered wooden-frame seats and wooden bedroom furniture exported to the US, as well as wood mouldings, processed wood products and hardwood plywood shipped to the EU.

Wood and wood products top the list of seven Vietnamese export groups at risk of trade remedy investigations, origin fraud and illegal transshipment. — VNA/VNS Photo

The Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam (Trav) has identified seven groups of Vietnamese exports at risk of trade remedy investigations, origin fraud and illegal transshipment, with wood, wood products, steel and steel products topping the list.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the groups include wood and wood products; iron, steel and metal products; materials; manufactured industrial products; chemicals, plastics and plastic products; fibres, yarns and textiles; and other goods. Key markets to watch include the US, India, Thailand, Canada, Australia and the EU.

Wood products facing potential scrutiny include upholstered wooden-frame seats and wooden bedroom furniture exported to the US, as well as wood mouldings, processed wood products and hardwood plywood shipped to the EU.

Although the US has not imposed trade remedy measures on upholstered wooden-frame seats, the products have faced a 25 per cent tariff under Section 232 since October 14 last year. Vietnamese exporters should strengthen raw material origin controls, ensure traceability, maintain transparent pricing and production cost records, and prepare documentation for potential investigations, Trav advised.

Việt Nam’s wooden bedroom furniture exports to the US reached US$892.9 million in the first seven months of this year, down 21.1 per cent year on year. The EU, meanwhile, has imposed anti-dumping duties on Chinese hardwood plywood, raising concerns that Vietnamese products could also face investigation.

Steel and steel products on the warning list include hot-rolled steel coils and sheets exported to Indonesia; pre-stressed concrete steel wire strand exported to the US; easy-open tinplate ends, including those made from electrolytic tinplate, exported to India; aluminium-zinc alloy-coated steel exported to Thailand; gas cylinder shells exported to the US; steel sheet piles exported to Canada; and stainless steel flanges exported to the US.

Indonesia has extended anti-dumping duties on hot-rolled steel products imported from several countries and territories until January 2030. The US has also maintained anti-dumping and countervailing duty measures on pre-stressed concrete steel wire strand from multiple countries, while India has imposed anti-dumping duties on easy-open tinplate ends imported from China.

As of mid-September, Vietnamese exports face 327 trade remedy investigations across 27 markets, according to the ministry. The first nine months of this year saw 27 new cases, highlighting the need for businesses to monitor overseas markets, identify risks early and prepare for potential investigations. 

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