The information available suggests that the recent imposition of a 46% tariff by the U.S. on Vietnamese goods, effective April 5, 2025, is part of a new tariff policy announced by President Trump. Here’s a breakdown of the likely reasons based on the provided context:
1. Addressing the Trade Deficit:
- The U.S. has a significant trade deficit with Vietnam. In 2024, U.S. goods imports from Vietnam totaled $136.6 billion, while U.S. exports to Vietnam were only $13.1 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of $123.5 billion.
- The new tariff policy appears to be directly linked to the size of the bilateral trade deficit. The formula for calculating the tariff for Vietnam is given as: (Trade Deficit / Exports) ÷ 2 = (123.5 billion / 136.6 billion) ÷ 2 = 46%.
- The U.S. aims to reduce this imbalance by making Vietnamese imports more expensive, thus encouraging domestic consumption or imports from other nations.
2. Concerns about Transshipment:
- The U.S. has accused some Chinese companies of using Vietnam as a transshipment point to evade existing tariffs on Chinese goods. This has led to increased scrutiny of trade flows between Vietnam and the U.S.
- The high tariff could be a measure to discourage this practice and ensure that goods entering the U.S. are genuinely of Vietnamese origin and not just passing through to avoid duties on Chinese products.
3. Rapid Export Growth from Vietnam:
- Vietnam’s exports to the U.S. have experienced substantial growth, increasing by over 20% annually. This rapid growth positions Vietnam as an increasingly significant trade competitor to the U.S.
- The tariff could be seen as a move to moderate this rapid growth and protect U.S. domestic industries from increasing competition.
4. Monetary Policy Concerns:
- The U.S. has previously investigated Vietnam’s currency practices, suspecting that Vietnam maintains a low exchange rate for its currency (the Dong) to support exports.
- While a direct link to the 46% tariff isn’t explicitly stated as the primary reason in the recent reports, past concerns about monetary policy could still be a contributing factor to the tougher trade stance.
5. Protecting Domestic Manufacturing and Economic Sovereignty:
- The broader rationale behind the new U.S. tariff policy is stated as regaining “economic sovereignty” and protecting domestic manufacturing.
- By imposing higher tariffs, the U.S. aims to make imported goods less competitive, thereby encouraging domestic production and potentially creating more jobs within the U.S.
In summary, the 46% tariff on Vietnamese goods appears to be a direct consequence of the significant trade deficit between the two countries, calculated based on a formula tied to this imbalance. Concerns about transshipment, rapid export growth from Vietnam, and the broader U.S. policy of protecting domestic industries also likely play a role.
It’s important to note that the Vietnamese government has expressed that the new U.S. tariff policy is misaligned with bilateral cooperation and has stated its intention to continue discussions with the U.S. to find constructive solutions.
