“At 3 a.m. this morning, I received urgent calls from U.S. partners saying President Donald Trump had decided to temporarily delay the imposition of reciprocal import tariffs for 90 days. They requested that previously signed orders be reinstated and shipped as planned,” shared Nguyen Dinh Tung, CEO of Vina T&T, on April 10.

Exports resume after surprise U.S. move

“We were overjoyed to hear the news,” Tung said. Vina T&T specializes in fruit production and processing, with the U.S. as its primary export market - accounting for 58% of the company’s total export turnover. In 2024, its fruit exports to the U.S. reached USD 96 million.

Therefore, the U.S. proposal to impose a 46% tariff on Vietnamese goods had serious implications for the business, as Vietnamese fruit exports previously faced only 0–5% tariffs.

In recent days, U.S. partners reduced orders by about 40%, choosing to wait and observe the market. They were concerned that higher retail prices would not be accepted by consumers. Some shipments were even rushed for delivery before April 5 to avoid potential tariff hikes.

“Now, both we and our U.S. partners are breathing a sigh of relief. Export activities are back on track, in accordance with the contracts,” Tung said.

According to him, this 90-day delay is a crucial window for Vietnamese exporters to negotiate with their partners. At the same time, companies like his are actively exploring alternative export markets, including China, Japan, South Korea, Canada, and Halal-certified regions.

However, Hoang Manh Cam, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group, noted that while the 46% reciprocal tariff was delayed, a 10% surcharge on existing tariffs is still being enforced.

For instance, the most-favored-nation (MFN) tariff on Vietnamese garments exported to the U.S. is around 18%. With the 10% increase, the effective rate becomes 28%, and similar increases apply to other countries.

With this additional tax, U.S. buyers are seeking ways to share the burden with producers in Vietnam, India, and Bangladesh. Manufacturers are under pressure to lower their prices, affecting profit margins across the textile industry.

While a 10% increase is far less severe than 46%, Cam believes it will still negatively impact Vietnam’s textile and garment exports to the U.S. in the near term.

Thus, the 90-day delay offers a key opportunity to extend negotiations and expedite shipments that were previously put on hold to avoid stockpiling and losses.

Cam emphasized the need for businesses to closely negotiate with clients to share the tax risk and prepare for possible further tariff changes after the 90-day period. Companies must recalibrate production costs for maximum efficiency.

He also encouraged businesses to explore new export markets to offset the potential decline in the U.S. segment. Canada and ASEAN, he noted, are promising destinations.

A 'golden' window for negotiation and risk mitigation

Commenting on the 90-day tariff delay, Dr. Nguyen Thuong Lang, senior lecturer at the Institute of International Trade and Economics (National Economics University), said the decision shows goodwill from the U.S. and offers valuable space for dialogue. “It’s a much-needed relief - like rain after a drought,” he said.

This postponement also helps clear bottlenecks in shipments of Vietnamese goods headed to the U.S.

“We now have a golden window to negotiate an extension - or even a complete cancellation - of the U.S. tariffs. This could be based on the fact that Vietnam has not imposed reciprocal tariffs on U.S. goods,” he noted.

Lang urged Vietnamese businesses to expedite production to fulfill outstanding orders and even prepare subsequent batches in advance. Simultaneously, they should urgently explore new partners and alternative markets, while developing robust risk management strategies for long-term resilience.

He also highlighted Vietnam’s large domestic market of 100 million people, advising enterprises to build strong local supply chains to better withstand future economic shocks.

“These 90 days are extremely valuable. Businesses must make strategic moves now to adapt and grow,” Lang stressed.

He also acknowledged the Vietnamese government’s swift and proactive actions so far. Moving forward, he recommended strengthening trade relations with the U.S. by increasing imports of U.S. goods, offering tax incentives, and encouraging American investment in Vietnam - especially in high-tech sectors.

Alongside reducing tariffs and boosting U.S. imports, Lang said it's vital to ensure transparency in the supply chain, particularly in origin labeling and raw materials. Vietnam must also intensify efforts to combat smuggling and trade fraud.

Tam An