On the afternoon of April 11, the Hai Phong Economic Zone Authority (HEZA) held a meeting to meet, listen to and exchange views with enterprises operating in the city’s industrial parks and economic zones. The meeting focused on the United States reciprocal tariff policy, an issue attracting particular attention from the business community. Mr. Le Trung Kien, Member of the Standing Committee of the Hai Phong City Party Committee and Head of HEZA, chaired the program. Leaders and representatives of relevant departments, sectors and agencies, together with numerous enterprises, attended in an open spirit and with a determination to find solutions.
Overview of the working session.
At the meeting, enterprises expressed their encouragement and highly valued the Vietnamese Government’s decisive and timely engagement in negotiations with the United States. A notable result was that the United States agreed to temporarily suspend the application of high import tariffs on goods from 75 countries, including Vietnam, for 90 days. This was considered a “golden opportunity” for enterprises to step up production, complete signed export contracts and strengthen their position in international markets.
Enterprise leaders give their views at the meeting.
Alongside these positive signals, enterprises frankly raised concerns about their near-term development strategies in the Vietnamese market. In the worst-case scenario, if the United States officially imposed a 46% reciprocal tariff on goods exported from Vietnam, many enterprises could risk losing markets, forcing them to scale back production, reduce their workforce and face significant financial difficulties.
To respond, enterprises proposed that the Government consider practical solutions such as:
- Continue negotiations with the United States to extend the tariff suspension period or adjust the tariff to a more reasonable level.
- Support domestic enterprises through preferential policies such as reducing corporate income tax and exempting or reducing fees and charges during the difficult period.
- Create favorable conditions for enterprises to maintain and expand production and business activities, particularly by helping them access new markets.
Mr. Le Trung Kien, Head of HEZA, speaks at the meeting.
In his concluding remarks, Mr. Le Trung Kien stressed that the 90-day tariff suspension was a “golden” period for enterprises to focus their maximum efforts on production and exports, especially orders for the United States market. He called on enterprises to urgently work with their parent companies to stabilize morale and avoid anxiety, while carefully studying Appendix 2 issued by the United States to understand which products would be subject to the 46% tariff and which would receive lower rates, thereby developing appropriate business strategies.
He also proposed that, in the long term, enterprises proactively develop flexible adaptation strategies, expand and diversify export markets, and make use of the 17 free trade agreements (FTAs) Vietnam has signed with other countries to access potential markets such as Europe, Japan and South Korea.
Enterprises should strengthen domestic linkages to build sustainable supply chains, reduce dependence on imported materials, lower product costs and improve competitiveness.
They should invest in new technologies to improve productivity and product quality and meet the strict standards of international markets.
Mr. Le Trung Kien affirmed that over the next 90 days, HEZA would coordinate closely with departments and sectors and report to city leaders to minimize unnecessary inspections, creating a stable production environment for enterprises. Agencies such as Industry and Trade, Customs and Taxation would maintain a 24/7 support mechanism, ready to answer questions and resolve difficulties faced by enterprises.
Hai Phong also pledged to continue administrative reform, improve preferential mechanisms and encourage investment, especially in high technology and green production. The city called on enterprises to strengthen efforts against trade fraud and ensure transparent product origins to protect the reputation of Vietnamese goods in global markets.
At the end of the meeting, Mr. Le Trung Kien emphasized solidarity and cooperation among enterprises, encouraging them to support one another and strengthen links with domestic partners. Building a strong domestic supply chain would not only reduce costs but also create a foundation for enterprises to integrate more deeply into international markets.
Hai Phong pledged to accompany enterprises on their path toward sustainable development, continuously improve the investment environment, simplify administrative procedures and create every favorable condition for enterprises to maximize their potential and reach global markets.
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