Exporters build raw material shields amid rising global trade remedies
VOV.VN - As full participation in free trade agreements (FTAs) opens major market opportunities, Vietnamese exporters face growing pressure from trade defense measures in foreign markets. Building a protective shield through standardized raw material zones and origin traceability has become an urgent requirement.
Facing surge in foreign trade probes
FTAs have enabled commodities to expand export markets and access tariff preferences. However, alongside these advantages, goods face rising pressure from trade defense measures applied by importing countries to protect domestic industries.
Statistics from the Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam (TRAV) under the Ministry of Industry and Trade show that as of May 2026, exports had faced 321 trade defense investigations across 27 markets. The US led all trade partners with 82 cases. During the five month periodof 2026, New Zealand and Ukraine emerged as two new markets launching trade defense inquiries against domestic goods for the first time.
Nguyen Yen Ngoc, Head of the Foreign Trade Remedy Handling Division at TRAV, noted that trade remedy investigations are increasing not only in volume but also in scope, complexity, and duration. Many cases drag on for 12 to 18 months, and some extend up to three years. The targeted products have expanded from steel and metals to agricultural commodities, seafood, processed foods, timber, and plant-based products.
Assessments indicate that many enterprises struggle because they lack awareness of trade defense, missing data management, traceability, and record-keeping systems. Meanwhile, most companies are small and medium-sized enterprises with limited financial resources. Legal fees and consultancy costs for a single case can reach hundreds of thousands of US$.
To stay proactive in foreign investigations, Ngoc advised companies to monitor TRAV’s early warning system, study importing market regulations, diversify export destinations, and boost product value. She also urged businesses to establish data management, traceability, and accounting systems aligned with international standards.
"Enterprises must fully cooperate by providing required information and documents throughout the proceedings to achieve the best results," Ngoc said. "It is essential to coordinate closely with TRAV for timely support. Companies seeking early warning lists, sector-specific trade defense handbooks, annual thematic reports, or specialized consulting and training can contact our information and early warning center."
Raw material data turns strategic
With nearly 40 years in rice production, processing, and export, Pham Hoang Lam, Chairman of Lam Rice Group, observed that the international trading environment is changing rapidly. While companies previously competed mainly on price, quality, and market access, they must now meet requirements for traceability, sustainable development, emission reductions, social responsibility, and supply chain transparency.
According to Lam, raw material data serves as a strategic asset for enterprises. Managing comprehensive records from seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides to farming logs, harvesting, drying, inventory, processing, and export provides vital evidence when clarifying matters with foreign partners or investigating agencies.
Lam suggested establishing a national database on export agricultural zones to support traceability and trade defense. He also called for strengthening early warning systems and helping businesses build and protect agricultural brands.
"Enterprises must actively coordinate with state regulatory agencies in trade defense cases rather than responding in isolation," Lam said. "Close coordination among businesses, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, TRAV, industry associations, and local authorities is critical to protecting our legitimate rights and interests."
Standardizing agricultural hub to break trade barriers
The Mekong Delta is the country's largest agricultural production hub, supplying roughly 50% of national rice output, over 90% of rice exports, nearly 70% of fruit output, and about 60% of seafood export turnover. Export items from the region have reached demanding markets, including the US, the EU, Japan, the Republic of Korea (RoK), Australia, and China.
However, alongside FTA opportunities, regional exporters face non-tariff barriers in foreign markets. Requirements have expanded from traditional benchmarks of quality, food safety, and price to criteria covering traceability, supply chain transparency, sustainable development, greenhouse gas reduction, social responsibility, and trade defense.
To solidify product resilience, enterprises must organize production, manage data, and establish transparent raw material zones. This foundation enables goods to enhance competitiveness and maintain export markets amid global uncertainties.
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