Multiple Vietnamese export products face potential trade-defense investigations

A broad range of Vietnam’s key export items are at risk of trade defense investigations, origin fraud allegations, and illegal transshipment in overseas markets. The Trade Defense Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade has issued a warning list covering five product groups and 29 items classified as high-risk.

Rising pressure in North American markets

The United States and Canada are sending strong warning signals to several Vietnamese export categories, as shifts in global supply chains and rapid export growth have drawn increased attention from authorities abroad.

United States: wood products and fast-growing industrial inputs

In the U.S., the wood and wood products group faces very high risk. A representative item is sofas with wooden frames and upholstered cushions. In 2025, Vietnam exported about $3.4 billion of this product to the U.S., up 8.8% from 2024, and representing about 54.1% of the U.S. import market for that product category.

While the U.S. has so far imposed trade-defense measures mainly on goods from China and has not formally started investigations into other countries, the large share and continued growth of Vietnamese sofas make it likely that the U.S. will initiate a trade-defense or anti-dumping investigation. The department also points to historical precedents in similar cases, such as plywood or kitchen cabinet duties after comparable warnings.

Other industrial inputs shipped to the U.S. also show unusual growth patterns. Aluminum wire and cable products exported to the U.S. in 2025 reached $65 million, accounting for 5.6% of U.S. imports in that category, but rising by 448% year-on-year.

Flat glass is another example: exports increased from $2.3 million in 2024 to $92.2 million in 2025, capturing 11.6% of the U.S. import market for that category. The rapid expansion over a short period is cited as a key trigger for potential measures aimed at protecting domestic production.

Canada: tightening controls across multiple product lines

Canada is also tightening controls. Upholstered seating exported to Canada in 2025 reached $180.4 million, up 44.1%. Vietnam and China face anti-dumping and countervailing duties in Canada. As Vietnam remains a large supplier—described as the third-largest—and continues to expand output, Vietnamese firms are advised to prepare for possible broadening of investigations.

Other products on the watchlist for Canada include welded carbon steel pipes, aluminum profiles, and copper tubes, flagged due to rapid growth and their strategic role in Canada’s supply chain.

EU crackdown focus: steel and technical compliance

In the EU, which is known for strict standards, trade-defense tools were further applied to a wide range of Vietnamese industrial and steel products in 2025, with steel remaining a focal point.

Steel: rapid growth raises anti-dumping risk

Cold-rolled steel sheets exported from Vietnam to the EU reached $167.6 million in 2025, up 39.2%. Although the current market share is about 8.7%, the department warns that the pace of growth could lead to anti-dumping investigations if it continues.

Coated steel and cold-rolled stainless steel also recorded strong increases. Cold-rolled stainless steel surged by 124.7% to $144.1 million. The EU has already imposed anti-dumping duties on this product with several partners (China, Taiwan, India, and Indonesia), creating a sensitive legal environment for Vietnamese exporters.

Other industrial products: tires and steel for infrastructure

Engineered- and consumer-materials exports to the EU are also included in the warning list. Truck and bus tires exported to the EU reached $336.5 million in 2025, up 22.3%, and Vietnam is now described as the third-largest supplier to the bloc.

Wind-tower steel and hand pallet trucks were also highlighted, with exports of $285 million and $47.8 million, respectively.

The department notes that while these sectors can offer opportunities to gain market share—particularly as major competitors such as China face duties—Vietnam’s rising position can also increase the likelihood of becoming a next target for investigations.

Origin and anti-evasion concerns

A key compliance note for EU markets concerns the origin of raw materials. For flat-rolled copper- or tin-coated products and durable polyester fibers, Vietnamese firms are warned not to directly source primary materials from China for export processing. Using materials from tariffed nations can expose products to anti-evasion probes, which the department describes as complex.

Broader geographic spread and additional products under watch

The warning list also indicates that risks are spreading beyond traditional markets to regions including Australia, Mexico, India, and Indonesia, reflecting a broader global trend toward trade protectionism.

Australia: multiple steel categories growing quickly

In Australia, three steel products—hot-rolled shapes, hollow structural steel, and galvanized steel—are experiencing rapid growth in Vietnam’s exports. Hot-rolled shapes account for as much as 26.1% of Australia’s total import share.

Mexico: prestressed steel cables and polyester resin

Mexico is monitoring Vietnamese prestressed steel cables and polyester resin. Both are described as showing sharp growth and holding between roughly 30% and over 42% of the market share in that country.

Scope of the warning

The department’s assessment indicates that 18 Vietnamese export products are at risk of triggering trade-defense measures, based on 2023 data. A related coverage is referenced for a detailed listing and additional context.