Ample space for Việt Nam to boost exports to the US, experts

Garment products are made for export at a factory in Hải Dương Province. The country exported $6 billion worth of textiles and garments to the US in the first half of this year. — VNA/VNS Photo Trần Việt

HÀ NỘI — Vietnamese exports to the United States (US) such as computers and parts, electronics, machinery and equipment, garments and footwear have ample room to grow, according to trade experts.

In the first half of this year, Việt Nam exported about US$55 billion worth of goods to the US, up 26 per cent year-on-year, ranking first in terms of turnover growth, far surpassing other markets such as the EU, ASEAN and South Korea.

There were eight groups of products posting an export value of over $1 billion in the period, including computers and components with a turnover exceeding $10 billion and textiles and garments with $6 billion. Others were handsets, machinery and equipment, spare parts, footwear, wood and wooden products.

Nguyễn Hồng Dương, Deputy Director of the European-American Market Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade said after the two countries upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, he has received many calls from domestic businesses asking about opportunities and prospects for exports.

When the bilateral relations between the two countries upgraded, US businesses are expected to increase investment in Việt Nam. That will also encourage other firms from third countries to invest in many fields such as semiconductors, supporting industries, healthcare, oil and gas and energy in the country, creating room for development in the future, Dương said.

Long told baodautu.vn that many Vietnamese and US businesses were waiting for the US to recognise Việt Nam as a market economy, to remove bottlenecks for trade, especially those vulnerable to high taxes.

But Dương said he believed that Việt Nam’s exports to the US would increase significantly in the long term.

Associate Professor Doctor Nguyễn Thường Lạng said when the US formally recognised Việt Nam as a market economy, it would make for a big change in the country’s role and position in the international arena.

A series of Vietnamese goods, from shrimp and wooden products, to textiles and garments and tires would have more opportunities when competing in the US market. At the same time, goods from Việt Nam would enjoy reductions in anti-competitive taxes from the US, Lạng told the online newspaper.

He added that US consumers would also benefit from having access to quality goods from Việt Nam at affordable prices.

Baodautu.vn cited a representative from Cargill – one of the leading animal feed manufacturers in the US – as saying that Việt Nam is an important market. Cargill has long supported Việt Nam to be recognised as a market economy, considering the impacts on key industries like aquaculture.

With Việt Nam designated a non-market economy, products such as tra fish and shrimp are subject to significant anti-dumping taxes. That has negatively affected the competitiveness of Cargill with important markets such as the US, the representative said.

The recognition of Việt Nam as a market economy would stimulate production and services in industries in which Việt Nam had export strengths, including agricultural products. This would also promote greater economic cooperation between countries, the representative added.

In 2023, Việt Nam’s exports to the US hit nearly $97 billion, in spite of the economic recession, inflation and people tightening their spending.

With an export value of nearly $110 billion in 2022, the US became the first export market of Việt Nam to reach $100 billion a year. This market maintained its position as Việt Nam’s largest export market in 2023. — VNS