On July 25, answering a reporter's question asking to know Vietnam's reaction to the US Trade Representative (USTR) imposing a new 12.5% tariff on goods of all "investigated" economies under Section 301, Vietnamese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang stated clearly: "USTR's decision does not fully reflect the reality and efforts of Vietnam in preventing, reducing and eliminating forced labor, including the ban on importing products using forced labor".
Ms. Pham Thu Hang emphasized: Vietnam strictly prohibits all forms of forced labor, strictly complies with the regulations of the International Labor Organization (ILO), international treaties and free trade agreements of which Vietnam is a member.
On July 22, 2026, the Government issued Decree No. 292/2026/ND-CP, which stipulates the prohibition of importing goods exploited, produced or manufactured entirely or partially by forced labor.
Vietnam will continue to exchange and work with the US side in a constructive and cooperative spirit, requesting the US side to fully assess the measures Vietnam has implemented to adjust the tax rates applied to Vietnamese goods in accordance with reality as well as Vietnam's efforts in building laws and implementing them" - the spokesperson of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared.
