2 November 2026 (Navroze Bureau) Major global companies, including Tesla and Samsung, have opposed the possibility of additional US tariffs on Vietnamese goods, warning that fresh trade restrictions could disrupt manufacturing operations and supply chains. Their position comes as the Trump administration approaches a November 29 deadline to complete an investigation into Vietnam’s alleged intellectual property violations.
The debate has exposed differences between businesses that depend on Vietnam as a manufacturing base and American industry groups seeking stronger trade protection. While companies such as Tesla and Samsung have urged Washington to avoid additional duties, representatives of several US industries have called for penalties against Vietnamese imports.
Why Tesla and Samsung oppose additional tariffs
Tesla has asked the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to consider the supply-chain requirements of American manufacturers before imposing further tariffs. In comments submitted on July 2, the electric vehicle maker said certain advanced components and precision manufacturing equipment could not be sourced domestically, despite substantial investment in US production facilities.
Samsung’s US unit has also raised concerns about additional duties. Vietnam plays an important role in the company’s manufacturing network, producing a significant share of the smartphones and network equipment supplied to the American market.
Samsung is Vietnam’s largest foreign investor, with investments of approximately $25 billion in the country. Additional tariffs could therefore affect the company’s manufacturing operations and the movement of products through its supply chain.
Retail associations and trade groups representing footwear, apparel and consumer goods manufacturers have also opposed new duties. These industries rely on Vietnamese factories to produce a range of products, including bicycles and video game consoles.
US investigation into Vietnam’s intellectual property practices
The Trump administration launched a trade investigation in May into allegations concerning Vietnam’s intellectual property protection and enforcement practices. Washington designated Vietnam a “priority foreign country”, placing it in the most serious category of its intellectual property watchlist.
The designation is significant because Vietnam is the first jurisdiction in 13 years to be added to that category. US authorities have raised concerns about what they describe as persistent shortcomings in protecting intellectual property rights.
The investigation is scheduled to conclude by November 29. However, the US government has not clarified whether any tariffs resulting from the probe would apply broadly to Vietnamese imports or target particular industries.
Vietnam has urged Washington to conduct its investigations objectively. A separate US investigation into alleged excessive industrial capacity in Vietnam is also underway.
American industries call for trade penalties
While Tesla, Samsung and several retail groups oppose additional tariffs, some American manufacturers are pressing the government to take a tougher approach.
Industry organisations representing US steel, seafood, plywood, solar panel and wood-product manufacturers have accused Vietnam of unfair trade practices and called for new duties on its products.
Groups representing copyright holders have also asked Washington to secure stronger commitments from Vietnam to address online piracy and improve intellectual property enforcement.
The Business Software Alliance, whose members include Microsoft, Oracle and IBM, has criticised the use of unlicensed software in Vietnam. Citing a 2017 survey, the organisation said around three-quarters of software installed on personal computers in the country was unlicensed.
The Motion Picture Association has separately described Vietnam as a major hub for online piracy. It said websites distributing unauthorised films and television programmes hosted in the country attracted more than 12.5 billion visits worldwide last year. The association has called for stronger enforcement and improved market access for legitimate streaming services.
Vietnam’s growing trade relationship with the US
The tariff dispute comes amid a sharp rise in Vietnam’s exports to the American market. Vietnamese exports to the US increased by 42 per cent during the first eight months of 2026 compared with the corresponding period last year.
The increase has made Vietnam the US trading partner with the largest goods trade surplus, ahead of China and Mexico. At the end of 2025, Vietnam had ranked fourth.
The US currently imposes a general tariff of 12.5 per cent on Vietnamese goods. This duty was introduced in July following a separate investigation into alleged failures to prevent imports of products manufactured using forced labour.
Vietnam had previously faced 20 per cent tariffs under President Donald Trump’s earlier reciprocal tariff programme. Those duties were subsequently struck down by the US Supreme Court.
Decision could affect global supply chains
The approaching November 29 deadline has put companies and industry groups on different sides of the debate. Manufacturers with extensive operations in Vietnam are concerned that further duties could increase costs and complicate access to components and finished products.
Meanwhile, US producers and intellectual property organisations are seeking stronger trade measures and enforcement commitments from Vietnam.
The US administration’s final decision could have implications for businesses operating across electronics, automobiles, apparel, steel and other manufacturing sectors. Whether Washington introduces additional tariffs, and whether they apply to all Vietnamese goods or selected sectors, remains uncertain.