The United States extended its Vietnam intellectual-property inquiry by three months, giving the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) until Feb. 28, 2027, to determine whether the practices are actionable under Section 301 and what response, if any, to take.
The Federal Register notice was published Nov. 10 and made the extension effective Nov. 3. It replaces the previous Nov. 29 deadline. USTR said the investigation’s complexity required more time.
USTR opened the inquiry May 29, after naming Vietnam a priority foreign country in its April 30 Special 301 report. The 2026 report said it was the first such designation in 13 years.
The inquiry concerns USTR’s allegation that Vietnam has persistently failed to resolve long-standing concerns about intellectual-property protection and enforcement. It will assess whether the alleged practices are unreasonable or discriminatory and whether they impose a burden on or restrict U.S. commerce.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will make the determination in consultation with President Donald Trump, USTR said when it opened the case. The agency’s May 29 notice identified tariffs and non-tariff measures as possible responses. It did not set a rate for an intellectual-property tariff.
The trade debate includes competing business concerns. Reuters reported that Tesla urged USTR to consider U.S. manufacturers’ supply needs, while Samsung highlighted Vietnam’s role in producing smartphones and network equipment for the U.S. market. Producer groups in steel, seafood, plywood, solar and wood products called for tariffs, Reuters reported. EconoTimes previously covered the competing arguments over tariffs.
USTR has said the alleged infringement harms the competitive position of U.S. innovators and creators. The agency’s next milestone is its determination by Feb. 28, 2027.
