AmCham Vietnam Wants Trade Talks to Bring Down Non-Tax Hurdles

Vietnam on Wednesday reiterated that it wants its companies to buy more high-value US imports in large volumes. 

Photographer: Linh Pham/Bloomberg

Trade talks between the Trump administration and Vietnam should focus on red tape that hinders US exports to the Southeast Asian country, the American Chamber of Commerce said in a document sent Wednesday to the US Trade Representative.

The paper — called Barriers to Trade, Investment and Market Access In Vietnam — lists a range of domestic policies the group said don’t meet international norms, and actions by government officials that hinder American imports. Examples include “burdensome” product safety requirements, lengthy registration for medical devices, retail outlet licensing obligations that domestic companies don’t face and the misapplication of customs rules.