Tesla and Samsung are opposing additional US tariffs on Vietnamese goods, warning that new duties could disrupt supply chains and increase costs for American manufacturers as a US trade investigation approaches its November 29 deadline.
The Trump administration launched the investigation in May over alleged intellectual-property violations by Vietnam. Washington has designated Vietnam a “priority foreign country”, placing it in the most serious category of its watchlist for intellectual-property protection and enforcement.
The scope of any new tariffs remains unclear. The US Trade Representative is examining whether Vietnam has failed to address concerns about intellectual-property protection, while a separate investigation is examining alleged excess production capacity.
Tesla urged the US government to consider the supply-chain requirements of American manufacturers. In comments submitted on July 2, the electric-vehicle maker said some advanced components and precision manufacturing equipment could not be sourced domestically, despite substantial investments in US production.
Samsung’s US unit raised similar concerns. Vietnam manufactures a significant share of the smartphones and network equipment that Samsung supplies to the US market. The South Korean company is Vietnam’s largest foreign investor, with approximately $25 billion invested in the country.
Retail groups and trade associations representing industries that rely on Vietnamese manufacturing have also opposed additional duties. These include businesses involved in footwear, apparel and consumer goods such as bicycles and video-game consoles.
However, some US industry groups are calling for penalties. Producers of steel, seafood, plywood, solar panels and wood products have alleged unfair practices and urged Washington to impose tariffs. Software, film and music industry groups have separately pressed Vietnam to strengthen action against piracy and improve market access for legitimate services.
The US currently applies a general tariff of 12.5% on Vietnamese goods, introduced in July following an investigation concerning imports allegedly linked to forced labour. Earlier 20% tariffs imposed during President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” trade measures were struck down by the US Supreme Court.
Vietnam’s exports to the US rose 42% in the first eight months of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, giving it the largest goods-trade surplus with the US among its trading partners during that period.
The US investigation is approaching its November 29 deadline, but it remains uncertain whether any additional intellectual-property-related tariffs would apply broadly or target specific sectors.
