Hanoi, July 26, 2026 – The Europe Today: Vietnam has reaffirmed its strict prohibition of all forms of forced labour and called on the United States to fully recognize the country’s efforts in combating forced labour when reviewing tariffs imposed under the US Section 301 investigation.
Responding to media queries regarding the decision by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to impose a new 12.5 percent tariff on goods from economies under investigation pursuant to Section 301, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Phạm Thu Hằng said Vietnam fully complies with the regulations of the International Labour Organization (ILO), international treaties and free trade agreements to which it is a party.
Hằng highlighted that the Vietnamese Government issued Decree No. 292/2026/NĐ-CP on July 22, prohibiting the import of goods that are wholly or partially extracted or manufactured through forced labour.
She said the USTR’s decision does not fully reflect the realities in Vietnam or the country’s ongoing efforts to prevent, reduce and eliminate forced labour, including its legal ban on imports of goods produced using forced labour.
The spokesperson affirmed that Vietnam remains committed to maintaining constructive and cooperative engagement with the United States on trade and labour-related issues.
She also urged the US authorities to take into account the measures adopted by Vietnam when adjusting tariffs on Vietnamese exports, noting that the country’s legislative reforms and enforcement efforts demonstrate its commitment to addressing forced labour concerns.
Earlier this week, Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê Hoài Trung, during a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila, called on Washington to conclude its Section 301 investigation with findings that accurately reflect Vietnam’s progress and align with the US policy of supporting a strong, independent, self-reliant and prosperous Vietnam.
Minister Trung also reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to creating a favourable environment for US businesses by continuing legal reforms aimed at improving transparency, modernizing the regulatory framework and strengthening the country’s investment climate.
According to the Vietnamese side, Secretary Rubio described economic and trade cooperation as the cornerstone of bilateral relations and expressed hope that both countries would soon conclude a high-standard, reciprocal, fair and balanced trade agreement that would generate new economic opportunities and employment for both nations.
The latest tariff decision follows the completion of a Section 301 review led by US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer under the direction of President Donald Trump. The measures target 60 trading partners, including Vietnam, the European Union, Singapore, China, Brazil, Canada and New Zealand, representing approximately 99.4 percent of US imports.
Under the new framework, a 10 percent tariff applies to countries deemed by the United States to have adopted and effectively enforced import bans on goods produced through forced labour, while a 12.5 percent tariff is imposed on trading partners considered not to have implemented such measures.
