The United States has sent Vietnam a lengthy list of tough trade demands, urging it to reduce reliance on Chinese imports as part of ongoing tariff negotiations, sources familiar with the talks told Reuters.
The requests, detailed in an annex sent in late May, come as Washington pushes for last-minute trade deals ahead of a self-imposed July deadline.
U.S. negotiators want Hanoi to monitor its supply chains more closely and shift away from Chinese inputs in Vietnam-based factories. The talks aim to prevent the imposition of up to 46% reciprocal tariffs on Vietnamese goods.
Vietnam’s manufacturing economy is deeply tied to China, and complying could strain its economic and geopolitical balancing act. The U.S. has long accused Vietnam of serving as a backdoor for Chinese exports.
While Vietnam has pledged to boost U.S. imports and crack down on transshipment, American negotiators are reportedly demanding more concrete concessions before Wednesday's deadline.
