As of December 22, 2024, Vietnam's exporters are grappling with a notable increase in trade defense investigations, reflecting a growing trend of global protectionism. In 2024 alone, 270 investigations were initiated by 25 countries, which included 148 anti-dumping cases, 54 self-defense investigations, 38 anti-circumvention cases, and 30 anti-subsidy inquiries. Notably, 28 of these investigations were launched this year across 12 markets, with 13 originating from the United States [5f38073e].
This surge in investigations marks 2024 as the second-highest year for such cases since 2020. The Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) is actively supporting local industries to navigate these challenges and develop effective export strategies. Lê Huy Khôi, a representative from MOIT, emphasized the urgent need for economic reforms and market diversification to better position Vietnam in the global market [5f38073e].
In the context of these investigations, the U.S. Department of Commerce recently initiated an administrative review of anti-dumping duties on Vietnamese oil country tubular goods (OCTG), covering the period from September 1, 2023, to August 31, 2024. Companies involved in the export of OCTG must notify the Department of Commerce within 30 days if they did not export during the review period. The final conclusions of this review are anticipated by September 30, 2025 [4cce8aa8].
Earlier in August 2024, the U.S. denied Vietnam's application for market economy status, maintaining its classification as a non-market economy. This decision has led to higher margin rates on imports from Vietnam, further complicating trade relations [552a4903]. Despite this setback, Vietnam continues to advocate for its recognition as a market economy, with 72 countries already acknowledging its status [fabf1874].
The implications of these trade defense investigations and the ongoing review of anti-dumping duties are significant for Vietnam's trade relations, particularly with the U.S. As Vietnam strives to solidify its position as a key manufacturing hub, it faces the dual challenge of navigating increasing protectionism while seeking to enhance its economic ties with major trading partners [38a145c9] [1e51a2eb].