Proactively responding to trade defense, promoting exports

Yesterday morning (September 16), Phan Thi Thang, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade and Mai Hung Dung, Member of provincial Party Standing Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of provincial People's Committee, co-chaired a seminar titled “Promoting export potential and enhancing capacity to respond to trade defense in the markets of Asia, Africa and Oceania” at provincial Convention and Exhibition Center. The event was attended by 200 delegates, including leaders from provincial and municipal Departments of Industry and Trade, industries’ associations, and businesses getting involved in manufacturing, import-export, trade…

Market development and trade defense safety

In her speech at the seminar, Phan Thi Thang, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade emphasized that expanding exports to Asia, Africa and Oceania is not only a significant opportunity, but also a challenge for Vietnam's economy. While Vietnam's exports to these markets have recently seen positive growth, with the potential for market expansion being still very large, challenges remain for businesses. This seminar aimed at helping participants better understand and share their responsibility of minimizing the negative impacts of trade defense measures and import restrictions on Vietnamese goods…

Together with relevant ministries and sectors, Binh Duong always accompanies and actively supports businesses in responding to trade defense lawsuits in foreign markets. In picture: Export and import goods gathered at Binh Dương General Port

 “One of the biggest challenges is the protectionist views and barriers created by importing countries and regions for Vietnamese goods. Along with benefits of trade liberalization and economic integration, unilateral actions, sanctions and countermeasures to restrain competitors are becoming more prevalent in the realms of politics, economy and trade”, said Deputy Minister Phan Thi Thang. She also noted that while countries utilize the principles of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to create fair competition between imported and domestic goods, there is a growing trend of protectionism and import restrictions from abroad, with some countries even engaging in excessive protectionism. Among the protective measures, trade defense stands out as one of the most legal and effective tools used by many WTO members.

Mr. Dung evaluated the seminar as a reflection of the Ministry of Industry and Trade's support and attention, providing an excellent opportunity for information updates, experience exchanges on market conditions, export opportunities and challenges as well as trade defense measures. This was a chance for management agencies, associations, and businesses to learn and share toward sustainable development amid deeper international economic integration.

From a professional perspective, Do Quoc Hung, Director of the Asia-Africa Market Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade stated that the Asia-Africa and Oceania regions have always been important export markets for Vietnam. In addition to the efforts by businesses, State management agencies, industries’ associations, Vietnamese enterprises need to have close coordinate in trade promotion and business delegation exchanges between Vietnam and countries in these regions. Cooperation in transport, maritime logistics, banking, finance, and digital transformation should also be strengthened. Moreover, businesses should be encouraged and supported in brand development, brand protection and trademark registration in these markets to enhance visibility and protection of Vietnamese products.

Do Quoc Hung, Director of the Asia-Africa Market Department addresses businesses’ questions about export market opportunities and key considerations at the seminar

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, 14 out of 24 countries in the Asia, Africa, and Oceania markets have investigated 138 out of 256 trade defense cases against Vietnamese exports. The countries conducting the most investigations are India, Turkey, Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines. In ASEAN alone, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand have investigated 48 trade defense cases involving Vietnamese goods. Meanwhile, in Oceania, Australia has investigated 18 cases involving Vietnam. These are major issues that businesses must understand and comply with export market regulations.

Binh Duong should not be complacent

At the seminar, Mr. Dung stressed that Binh Duong should not be complacent. Amid the increasing complexity of global trade and the growing use of trade defense measures, export businesses, including those in Binh Duong—a province with numerous industrial zones and leading manufacturing and export businesses in Vietnam—face significant challenges. Binh Duong has been implementing comprehensive measures to support businesses in responding to trade defense.

Binh Duong's wood industry has received significant support from authorities in recent foreign trade defense investigations. In picture: Production activities at Thuan An Wood Processing Joint Stock Company

“We are particularly focused on assisting businesses in foreign trade defense investigations, organizing educational activities and enhancing the trade defense capacity of manufacturing industries as well as supporting the business community and management agencies”, said Mr. Dung.

At the seminar, Nguyen Thanh Toan, Director of provincial Department of Industry and Trade suggested the units of the Ministry of Industry and Trade to continue their close coordination to support Binh Duong's businesses in improving the quality and value of key products; facilitating trade promotion into new markets to help diversify export markets, particularly those with similar levels of economic development in some Asian, African and Oceania countries. The Trade Defense Department should also continue working with provincial Department of Industry and Trade to serve as a bridge between the Ministry of Industry and Trade and provincial People's Committee in the field of trade defense, and regularly coordinate with provincial Department of Industry and Trade to support businesses in dealing with foreign trade defense lawsuits.

Reported by Tieu My-Translated by Kim Tin