U.S. to impose 20–50% import tariffs starting August 1

(ĐN)- President Donald Trump has announced a sweeping new tariff policy targeting 22 countries, with rates ranging from 20% to 50%, effective August 1, 2025. According to the announcement, the lowest rate, 20%, will be applied to imports from the Philippines. Japan, South Korea, Brunei, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, and Tunisia will face a 25% tariff, Indonesia 32%, Thailand and Cambodia 36%, Myanmar and Laos 40%, while Brazil tops the list at 50%.

Importantly, President Trump emphasized that the U.S. will not extend the implementation timeline. In addition, the administration plans to introduce sector-specific tariffs on goods such as steel, aluminum, automobiles, copper, and pharmaceuticals. It’s worth noting that as early as March 2025, the U.S. had already imposed a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports, disrupting many existing orders signed months earlier. Exporters unable to renegotiate prices with U.S. buyers could face significant losses.

For Vietnam, the implications are particularly critical. The U.S. remains Vietnam’s largest export market, accounting for over 30% of the country’s total export turnover. In the first half of 2025, Vietnam exported nearly US$220 billion worth of goods, of which US$70.9 billion went to the U.S. Similarly, Dong Nai, the southern industrial province, exported nearly US$4.7 billion to the American market during the same period, making the U.S. its top destination.

Earlier, on July 2, President Trump revealed that a preliminary trade framework had been reached with Vietnam. Under this draft arrangement, a 20% tariff would apply to Vietnamese goods entering the U.S., while transshipped goods would face a 40% tariff. In exchange, Vietnam would reduce import duties on U.S. goods to 0%. However, the final terms are still under discussion, and the proposed framework remains subject to change.

Economic analysts warn that countries with high export volumes to the U.S. could experience disruptions in production and slower growth in the second half of 2025 and beyond, especially if higher tariffs take effect. As a result, several nations are rushing to negotiate bilateral adjustments before the July 30 deadline to lower retaliatory tariffs and minimize impact. At the same time, many are seeking to diversify export markets to reduce dependency on the U.S. and stay competitive. This shifting landscape is likely to intensify global competition in key sectors.

Vietnam, however, may be in a relatively favorable position. Many of its exports to the U.S. currently face tariffs between 5% and 15%, meaning a shift to a flat 20% rate would have a limited overall effect. This could, in fact, boost Vietnam’s appeal as a manufacturing and investment destination. In Dong Nai, as elsewhere in Vietnam, many foreign investors and companies are now awaiting Washington’s official announcement before scaling up production and placing larger orders.

With clarity expected soon, Vietnam’s export sector- and Dong Nai in particular- may well be poised to benefit from the shifting global trade dynamics.

Reported by K. Minh