Vietnam Industry and Trade News Bulletin for November 14, 2025

A. POSITIVE NEWS

1. Technical Negotiations on Vietnam-US Taxes: Positive Signals Following the meeting between Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on November 10, the negotiating teams from both countries quickly entered the technical phase to resolve remaining differences.

• Progress: On the morning of November 12, Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan worked with Deputy USTR Rick Switzer to launch the technical negotiation round.
• Focus: Discussions centered on implementing results from the ministerial session, reviewing the progress of technical groups, and agreeing on key issues for the November 12-14 negotiation round .

B. LEGISLATIVE & POLICY HIGHLIGHTS

1. National Assembly Discusses E-commerce Law: Tightening Livestream Regulations On the afternoon of November 13, the National Assembly discussed the amended E-commerce Law.

• Context: E-commerce is growing rapidly, impacting all aspects of life.
• Concerns: Delegates pointed out that current regulations lack specific forms and deadlines for removing violating content. This ambiguity causes difficulties for both management agencies and businesses.
• Proposal: Delegate Nguyen Thi Viet Nga suggested specific regulations on written requests or electronic authentication, along with mandatory deadlines for removal to ensure transparency and feasibility .

2. MoIT Enhances Legal Support for SMEs To achieve the GDP growth target of over 8% in 2025, MoIT is focusing on improving the capacity of officials to resolve international trade disputes.

• Actions: The Minister issued Decision 2994/QD-BCT approving the scheme to improve dispute resolution capacity for the 2025-2030 period and Decision 1066/QD-BCT on coordination regulations for preventing and resolving international investment disputes .

C. ENERGY

1. Resolving Bottlenecks in National Energy Resolution On the morning of November 14, MoIT held a meeting to explain the draft National Assembly Resolution on mechanisms to remove difficulties for national energy development (2026-2030).

• Goal: To ensure that resolutions are feasible and create a foundation for power projects to deploy on schedule, vital for energy security.
• Participants: The meeting included EVN, PVN, TKV, and NSMO, showing a high level of determination and long-term vision .

2. Why EVN “Suspended” Payment for 9 Renewable Projects in Lam Dong? For over two years, EVN has suspended payments totaling over 4,500 billion VND for 9 renewable energy projects (7 solar, 2 wind) in Lam Dong.

• Reason: Bottlenecks related to acceptance procedures, FIT pricing mechanisms, and reviews following inspection conclusions.
• Impact: This has caused severe financial difficulties for investors. The Lam Dong Department of Industry and Trade has petitioned the Prime Minister to direct EVN to resolve payment issues promptly .

3. Offshore Wind Projects: Need Consensus from 5 Ministries MoIT’s draft resolution highlights that complex and inconsistent procedures are stalling power projects.

• Proposal: MoIT proposes exempting investment policy approval for projects already in the adjusted Power Plan VIII (except sensitive ones). State-owned enterprises (100% capital) may be assigned key transmission and security projects.
• Offshore Wind: As a strategic sector, specific regulations on marine surveys, licensing, and investor selection need unification among ministries .

4. Da Nang: Hydropower Dams to Lower Water Levels Before Flood Da Nang city ordered 5 hydropower reservoirs (Dak Mi 4, Song Bung 2, 4, A Vuong, Song Tranh 2) to lower water levels to the lowest flood-receiving level before 23:30 on November 15 to ensure safety for downstream areas during upcoming heavy rains .

5. Ca Mau: Dual Breakthrough in Renewable Energy & Clean Agriculture Ca Mau aims to be a renewable energy hub. By 2025, the province operates 16 wind power plants (870 MW) and over 2,800 rooftop solar systems (295 MWp). Future plans include 3,200 MW of LNG power and over 2,300 MW of wind power .

D. EXPORT – IMPORT

1. China Issues New Decree on Imported Food The General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) issued Decree 280 (replacing Order 248), effective from June 1, 2026.

• Content: It regulates the registration of imported food manufacturers based on risk assessment and food safety conditions.
• Action: MoIT’s Agency of Foreign Trade advises businesses to study the new decree carefully to comply with registration methods and dossiers .

2. “Golden Time” for Vietnamese Produce in EU The EU is a strategic market (population 450 million, GDP $17 trillion) and Vietnam’s 4th largest trade partner. As the US imposes tariff pressure and other ASEAN nations negotiate FTAs with the EU, Vietnam must leverage the EVFTA now to secure market share for its agricultural products .

3. Fruit & Vegetable Imports Rise In the first 10 months of 2025, Vietnam imported nearly $2.16 billion of fruits and vegetables (up 15.3%).

• Sources: China remains the top supplier ($772 million), followed by the US ($460 million, up 37.5%) and Australia .

E. INDUSTRY

1. Steel Industry 2025: Domestic Growth vs. Global Oversupply While the global steel market faces oversupply, Vietnam’s domestic market is recovering strongly due to public investment. However, businesses must navigate complex trade defense policies to sustain growth .

2. Vinachem Accelerates Kali Mining Project in Laos Vinachem is determined to speed up the Potassium Salt Mining Project in Laos. Chairman Phung Quang Hiep affirmed the project’s economic and political significance. Vinachem requested the Lao Ministry of Industry and Commerce to expedite the appraisal and approval of the Feasibility Study (FS) .

F. TRADE REMEDIES

1. India Imposes Anti-Dumping Duty on Vietnamese Steel India’s Ministry of Finance announced a 5-year anti-dumping duty on hot-rolled alloy and non-alloy steel plates from Vietnam.

• Rate: Exporters (except Hoa Phat) face a duty of $121.55/ton.
• Reason: To protect domestic producers from unfair pricing .

2. Mexico Imposes 156% Tariff on Imported Sugar From November 11, Mexico applies a 156% tariff on all imported sugar (and over 210% for liquid refined sugar) to protect its domestic sugar industry from falling global prices .

G. DOMESTIC MARKET

1. Skoda to Make Electric Vehicles in Vietnam Skoda (Volkswagen Group) plans to add an EV production line at its Vietnam plant from 2026. The company aims to launch models like Enyaq and Elroq, targeting both the domestic market and exports to neighbors like Laos .

2. HCMC Stimulates Year-End Consumption HCMC launched Phase 2 of “Shopping Season 2025” from November 15, allowing promotions exceeding 50%. E-wallets and ride-hailing apps are also participating with discounts to boost year-end spending .

3. Shopee & Lazada Warned on Supplement Sales The Ministry of Health requested MoIT to coordinate in handling violations regarding functional foods on e-commerce platforms like Shopee and Lazada. The demand includes removing ads and stopping the sale of unlicensed or unidentified products.