U.S. Imposes 46% Tariff on Vietnamese Plywood Exports
Posted by Thanh Uyên at 03/04/2025
1. Cross-Industry Tariff Overview
🔹 Key Policy Changes (White House Release 04/03/2025):
- Electronics: 35% on Vietnamese circuit boards (HS 8534)
- Textiles: 28% on synthetic fabrics (HS 5512)
- Footwear: 22% on leather shoes (HS 6403)
- Plywood: 46% on hardwood/softwood plywood (HS 4412) [Highest among ASEAN]
Comparative Rates:
| Country | Plywood | Electronics | Textiles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | 46% | 35% | 28% |
| China | 32% | 25% | 18% |
| Indonesia | 15% | 10% | 12% |
(Source: U.S. Trade Representative 2025 Tariff Schedule)
2. Plywood Industry Impact
🔴 Immediate Consequences:
- Order Cancellations: 37% of U.S.-bound plywood contracts frozen (VPA Survey, April 2025)
- Price Shock: Vietnamese FOB prices must drop $120-150/m³ to offset tariffs (ITTO)
🟢 Silver Linings:
- EU Demand Surge: FSC plywood orders up 40% MoM (Eurostat)
- Japan's LVL Shortage: Vietnam's LVL exports now fetch **880/m3∗∗(vs.880/m3∗∗(vs.720 to U.S.)
Case Study: TT Plywood's Pivot
- Secured 5 EU contracts worth $2.4M (FSC-certified 18mm plywood)
- Partnered with Japanese trading houses to bypass U.S. tariffs
3. Strategic Recommendations
🛠️ For Mills:
- Certification Rush: Obtain FSC/EUDR by Q3 2025
- Raw Material Audit: Remove all Cambodian-sourced timber
📊 For Traders:
Market Diversification:
- A[Current U.S. Focus] --> B(EU - 22% premium)
- A --> C(Japan - LVL shortage)
- A --> D(Middle East - Mega projects)
#VietnamTrade #PlywoodCrisis #ExportResilience
