Vietnam Economic News: 31.1 - 7.2.2026
Summary of Vietnam Economic News: 31.1 - 7.2.2026
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Summary of Vietnam Economic News: 31.1 - 7.2.2026 ---
VIETNAM'S TRADE SURPLUS WITH US SURGES IN JANUARY AS IMPORTS FROM CHINA HIT NEW HIGH
Reuters News – 6 February 2026
Vietnam's trade surplus with the United States grew in January by nearly 30% year on year as exports climbed, while imports from China hit a new monthly high, official data released on Friday showed. Hanoi has been in talks for months with Washington over a possible trade agreement after the Trump administration imposed 20% tariffs on Vietnamese goods in August and threatened higher duties on goods made mostly from components that Vietnam imports from China. Despite the higher tariffs, Vietnamese exports to the United States have continued to rise and reached a record high last year. In January the trend continued with shipments reaching a value of $13.9 billion, according to Vietnam's statistics office, up from $10.5 billion a year earlier. In December exports to the United States amounted to $14.6 billion. The surplus with Washington was $12 billion in January, nearly 30% higher than a year earlier, and only slightly lower than the $12.3 billion in December. Imports from China reached a monthly record, climbing to $19 billion from $18.7 billion in December and $12 billion in January 2025. In total, Vietnam's exports in January rose 29.7% from a year earlier to $43.19 billion, with industrial production also up by 21.5%, the data showed. Imports over the month soared 49.2% from a year earlier to $44.97 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of $1.78 billion. Consumer prices in the month rose 2.53% from a year earlier, while retail sales were up 9.3% year on year. Foreign investment inflows in the month reached $1.68 billion, up 11.3% year on year. However, investment pledges, which indicate future inflows, fell in January 40.6% from a year earlier to $2.58 billion, the data showed.
VIETJET, PRATT & WHITNEY INK DEAL FOR 44 ENGINES TO POWER AIRBUS JETS
Reuters News – 4 February 2026
Vietnamese budget airline Vietjet has entered into an agreement for Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX, to supply GTF engines for 44 Airbus aircraft, boosting its total GTF-powered fleet orders to 137, the companies said on Wednesday. The deal, announced at the Singapore Airshow, includes 24 A321neo and 20 A321XLR planes, with deliveries commencing in July. It also encompasses a 12-year maintenance agreement, they said in a joint statement. The financial terms were not disclosed. Vietjet, which deployed its first A321neo in 2018, currently operates 42 GTFpowered aircraft and aims to equip a total of 93 jets with the fuel-efficient engines. Last year, the airline placed an order for 100 Airbus A321neo jets, further expanding its fleet of narrowbody planes. Pratt & Whitney competes with CFM International to supply engines for A321neo and A321XLR planes.
VIETNAM WILLING TO BOOST US PURCHASES, TRADE MINISTER SAYS, AS NEW ROUND OF TARIFF TALKS
Reuters News – 4 February 2026
Vietnam is willing to increase purchases of U.S. goods, especially machinery and high-tech products, its trade minister said on Wednesday, as the Southeast Asian nation began a sixth round of tariff negotiations in Washington this week. Trade Minister Le Manh Hung met with several U.S. companies in the energy and technology sectors, including executives from Apple, Exxon Mobil, GE, AES and Excelerate Energy, according to a statement from the ministry. The White House in October said the United States and Vietnam would finalise a trade agreement that will keep tariffs on most Vietnamese goods at 20% but remove duties on certain products. Vietnam's shipments to the United States, its largest export market, reached a record high of $153 billion last year, despite the tariffs. During the trip, trade minister Hung witnessed the signing of several memorandums of understanding with U.S. companies to buy American crude oil, ethanol and corn, Vietnam state media reported on Wednesday. The MOUs were signed with Chevron, Marquis Energy and ADM Asia-Pacific Trading in Washington, the Vietnam News Agency reported.
VIETNAM TO IMPOSE TEMPORARY ANTI-DUMPING TARIFFS ON COLOURLESS FLOAT GLASS FROM INDONESIA, MALAYSIA
Reuters News – 3 February 2026
Vietnam will impose a temporary anti-dumping levy ranging from 15.17% to 63.39% on colourless float glass from Indonesia and Malaysia, according to an industry ministry statement dated January 30. The tariffs are expected to start from February 13 and will be in place for 120 days, the ministry said in the statement. Imports from Indonesia will face duties of between 15.17% and 43.78%, while Malaysian products will be subject to rates ranging from 41.07% to 63.39%, the statement said. A preliminary investigation by the ministry found that dumped imports from the two countries had caused "significant and evident" harm to the domestic industry. The volume of the products under investigation has been rising at an annual rate of 61.82%, it added. No public data on colourless float glass imports is available on the website of Vietnam Customs. The ministry said the temporary measures aim to curb the rapid increase in imports, which could pose "serious and irreparable" damage to local producers. It added that it would continue working with relevant parties to collect and verify the information and documents submitted in the next phase of the investigation.