U.S. Launches Section 301 Probe Into Vietnam IP Practices

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) launched a Section 301 investigation on May 29, 2026, into Vietnam's intellectual property (IP) protection and enforcement policies. This probe follows a designation of Vietnam as a priority foreign country on April 30 due to persistent failures to resolve IP concerns. The investigation is the third concurrent U.S. inquiry into Vietnam, with other probes focusing on forced labor and excess manufacturing capacity.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated that ongoing infringements impair the competitive position of U.S. innovators and creators. The move coincides with a widening trade deficit, which reached $178.2 billion in 2025 and $54.8 billion in the first quarter of 2026. The investigation provides a legal basis for President Donald Trump to impose new tariffs or trade measures.

The Government of Vietnam described the probe as a legal procedure under U.S. law and urged an objective assessment of its achievements. Prime Minister Le Minh Hung issued Official Dispatch No. 38/CD-TTg on May 5 to intensify efforts against piracy and counterfeits. In response to the probe, Vietnamese authorities reported handling over 1,400 cases and initiating 28 criminal proceedings within three weeks. Despite these efforts, counterfeit goods remain prevalent in markets in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.