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impose a reciprocal tariff on Vietnamese wood products. in 2025 at US$18 billion.
In the US market, Vietnam has become the largest supplier In the first six months of the year the value of timber and
after China. But in the year to end-July 2025, Vietnam overtook forest product exports was estimated at over US$8.2 billion,
China to claim the No. 1 spot. up nine percent compared to the same period in 2024.

Hanh emphasised the importance of enhancing the Yet, global geopolitical tensions and trade policy shifts
reputation of Vietnam's wood industry. continue to threaten the feasibility of this target.
While tariffs have risen Vietnam’s top competitor has been Besides the US, the European Union has also implemented
sidelined creating a natural advantage. new technical and legal requirements. Regulations such as
“But this is not a time to stand still,” Hanh warned. Chinese the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), the Carbon Border
companies anticipated the trade conflict long ago and have Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the Corporate Sustainability
already shifted their trade infrastructure, supply chains and Reporting Directive (CSRD) are demanding more rigorous
management including marketing and sales, to the US. environmental and traceability standards.
In Japan, meanwhile, policy changes are affecting wood

Industry looks towards new horizons pellet exports.
While long considered a strong export sector, local enterprises Requirements for transparent, certified sourcing and rising
are now re-evaluating their strategies to not only sustain costs are impacting export competitiveness.
growth but also reposition Vietnamese wood products on In addition to trade barriers, the domestic wood industry
the global trade map. is contending with challenges in raw material supply.
Amid global economic uncertainties and tightening trade Vietnam’s wood product exporters are in fierce competition
policies, the wood industry is navigating through significant with major global players such as China, Malaysia and Indonesia,

headwinds. countries that boast advanced processing technologies, lower
According to Nguyễn Liêm, chairman of the Bình Dương costs and well-established supply chains.
Furniture Association, major shifts in trade policies among In response to the ongoing US investigations the Vietnam
importing countries have been felt since early this year. Timber and Forest Product Association (VIFOREST) has said
Although Vietnamese wood products have been sold to it is preparing to participate in the US hearings. The aim is to
over 160 countries and territories the US remains the largest clarify that Vietnam’s plywood industry merely complements,
market, accounting for nearly 50 percent of the industry's rather than harms, the US domestic sector.
export earnings.
As a result, fluctuation in US regulations create a ripple RevelTV

effect across the entire industry.
Recently, the US Department of Commerce (DOC) initiated
anti-dumping and countervailing investigations into plywood
imported from Vietnam.
The action has placed more than 130 Vietnamese timber
processing and exporting companies under scrutiny, casting
uncertainty over one of Vietnam’s most valuable export category.

Despite this, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment
(MAE) has set an ambitious export goal for the wood sector