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Although Temu has only recently entered Vietnam, the cross-border e-commerce app has already created a significant impact. Photo: Illustration

VNPT Technology Chairman Tran Huu Quyen believes that following the United States’ decision to impose tariffs on Chinese goods, a significant shift is likely, including a potential flood of Chinese electronics into the Vietnamese market as companies look to recoup losses.

Although the cross-border e-commerce app Temu has only recently entered the Vietnamese market, it has already made a notable impact.
A new front in the global tariff war

In the early hours of April 3 (Vietnam time), US President Donald Trump announced a list of countries subject to retaliatory tariffs. Vietnam was placed in the second-highest tariff group, with rates reaching up to 46%, second only to Cambodia. These steep tariffs are expected to block many of Vietnam’s key export products to the US, especially in electronics, textiles, footwear, and furniture.

Alongside Vietnam, the US also imposed a 34% tariff on selected Chinese imports. In response, Beijing vowed to retaliate with equivalent measures. China’s Ministry of Commerce declared it would “fight to the end.” The tension escalated further when White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that tariffs of up to 104% on some Chinese goods would take effect at 5 a.m. on April 8.

Impacts on the Apple–Samsung race?

From an analytical perspective, Do Cao Bao, a member of the Board of Directors at FPT Group, stated that China has moved far beyond its traditional role as a manufacturing hub for the West. Chinese companies have acquired major American technology firms such as IBM Thinkpad (now Lenovo), Motorola Mobility, GE Appliances (now under Haier), Smithfield Foods, and Ingram Micro.

Moreover, China has developed global brands like Huawei, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, TikTok, Alibaba, Tencent, Baidu, JD, Shein, Temu, and BYD. Most recently, China introduced DeepSeek - a general-purpose AI system that has shocked the world and could even influence the US stock market.

Bao cited international economists who believe that while the US remains the sole military superpower, China has become the world’s dominant manufacturing power, with a production capacity of astonishing scale.

The US decision to impose a 104% tariff on Chinese imports marks a new escalation in the trade war between the world’s two largest economies. Each side wields strategic tools that reveal both their internal strengths and global supply chain ambitions.

Vietnam braces for a wave of Chinese electronics

Thuế của Mỹ ảnh hưởng thế nào đến cuộc đua Apple – Samsung?

Following the US’s decision to impose high tariffs on Vietnamese exports, major domestic tech companies such as Viettel and VNPT have stated that the move is unlikely to directly affect them. However, foreign-invested enterprises and sectors like agriculture, textiles, footwear, and similar industries are expected to be hit hard.

From another angle, several businesses have voiced concerns that steep US tariffs on Chinese goods could redirect large volumes of Chinese products to other markets - including Vietnam.

Indeed, although Temu has only recently entered Vietnam, it has already begun to influence the local market significantly. Experts believe it could be one of several channels for low-cost Chinese goods to flow into Vietnam in the near future.

Tran Huu Quyen, Chairman of VNPT Technology, warned: “Following the US’s super tariff policy, we could see a surge in Chinese electronics entering the Vietnamese market as firms try to recover capital. I’m concerned Chinese businesses may offload products at any price, potentially disrupting the domestic market.”

Quyen emphasized that regulatory agencies must intervene promptly to ensure the market develops healthily and to help local businesses withstand growing external pressures.

Thai Khang