THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade has urged exporters to tighten control over raw materials used in export production to mitigate potential risks from changing US trade policies.

In a recent notice sent to export associations and enterprises, the ministry urged businesses to ensure that input materials meet importers' requirements, particularly in terms of quality, origin, and traceability. The ministry cited growing uncertainties in global trade, with the US imposing tariffs on many countries, including Vietnam.

On April 9, US President Donald Trump announced a temporary delay in reciprocal tariffs for countries that have not imposed countermeasures, including Vietnam. The current US across-the-board tariff is 10% on imports from all countries except China.

The ministry emphasized that tighter control over input sourcing would help Vietnamese exporters respond proactively to changes in trade policies while maintaining stable production. It also sees this as a way to balance Vietnam's interests with those of its trading partners.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on April 12 signed a decision to set up a government team to negotiate reciprocal trade agreements with the US. Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien will lead the delegation, which aims to reach a balanced, mutually beneficial agreement with Washington.

According to the General Statistics Office, Vietnam's total foreign trade reached over US$202.5 billion in the first quarter of 2025, up 14% year-on-year. Exports rose by 10.6% while imports increased by 17%.

Manufactured goods accounted for nearly $91 billion, or 88.4% of total exports. Meanwhile, production materials made up approximately 94% of total imports, reaching more than $93.5 billion.

The ministry also encouraged firms to diversify their partnerships and expand into new, high-potential markets. It advised industry associations to remind members of increasingly stringent standards in importing countries, particularly in areas such as food safety, traceability, and anti-fraud compliance, which could affect the reputation of Vietnamese goods.

The ministry emphasized the crucial role of industry associations in helping businesses diversify input sources and reduce dependence on a single market.