What are the opportunities for exporting aluminum and steel when the US imposes a 25% tax?

If the United States applies an additional 25% tax on all aluminum and steel products imported from other countries, Vietnamese aluminum and steel will still have many opportunities to continue exporting.

Strong impact on global trade

According to statistics, in 2024, the total import-export turnover between Vietnam and the United States will reach more than 132 billion USD. In January 2025, data from the General Statistics Office also showed that the total import-export turnover between Vietnam and the United States reached 11.1 billion USD.

Currently, the United States is a key market for many domestic products and businesses. According to trade experts, in the coming time, Vietnam - US trade will be greatly affected by President Trump's new trade policies.

President Trump announced an additional 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imported into the United States.

Mr. Do Ngoc Hung - Commercial Counselor, Head of the Vietnam Trade Office in the United States - said that on February 9, President Trump announced an additional tax of 25% on steel and aluminum imported into this market.

For Vietnam, US customs statistics show that in 2024, Vietnam exported about 983 million USD of steel and steel products (an increase of nearly 159% compared to 2023) to the US market. Vietnam's major steel products exported to the US include: Galvanized steel (HS code 7210.49); galvanized aluminum steel (HS code 7210.61); plastic-coated steel (HS code 7210.70); stainless steel (HS code 7219.34); alloy steel (HS code 7209.16)...

Regarding aluminum products, statistics from the country's customs also show that in 2024, Vietnam will export about 479 million USD of aluminum and aluminum products to the US market, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2023. Some of Vietnam's major aluminum products exported to this market include: Kitchen cabinets, aluminum tables, aluminum furniture (HS code 7615.10); aluminum alloy (HS code 7604.21); aluminum bars, aluminum wires (HS code 7604.29)...

According to information from the Trade Office, currently, Vietnam's aluminum and steel products are still subject to tax rates of 10% and 25% respectively under Section 232 that the United States has applied since 2018 to most countries.

In addition, aluminum and steel products, especially steel products from Vietnam, are frequent subjects of trade defense lawsuits. Up to now, the United States has investigated more than 34 cases, accounting for more than 50% of the total number of trade defense lawsuits that the United States has investigated with Vietnam, and with aluminum products, there are 2 cases. Regarding aluminum products, the United States has investigated 2 cases.

If the United States applies an additional 25% tax on all imported goods from other countries, Vietnam still has many opportunities to continue exporting.

Mr. Do Ngoc Hung said that the US will apply an additional 25% tax on imported aluminum and steel, which will have a negative impact on countries exporting aluminum and steel to the US in the coming time, especially after 2018, many countries have replaced China's position in exporting aluminum and steel products to the US such as: Canada, Mexico, EU, Japan, Korea, Taiwan (China) and Brazil...

Not only that, the US's imposition of a 25% tax on imported steel and aluminum will also affect the global supply chain. Steel and aluminum products from countries that have difficulty exporting to the US will find their way to other countries, including Vietnam.

In addition, imposing high tariffs on exports will cause steel companies to turn back to the domestic market and cause countries to increase protectionism for steel and aluminum products as in 2028. This will make it difficult for steel exporting countries like Vietnam to enter other markets, besides the United States.

Vietnam's aluminum and steel still have a lot of room

However, according to Mr. Do Ngoc Hung, if the US applies an additional 25% tax on all imported goods from other countries, Vietnam still has many opportunities to continue exporting because in reality, the production capacity of US steel and aluminum manufacturers cannot immediately meet domestic demand. However, the profit margin of exporting enterprises may decrease.

Meanwhile, according to many importing countries, Vietnamese goods exported to the US market have competitive prices and good quality, which can supplement the US economy, help reduce inflation, and greatly support bilateral trade activities.

Giving advice to Vietnamese aluminum and steel exporting enterprises, Mr. Do Ngoc Hung said that domestic enterprises need to assess the situation to have appropriate business strategies, expand exports to markets that have FTAs ​​with Vietnam, and avoid dependence on one market.

The Head of the Vietnam Trade Office in the United States especially recommends that exporting enterprises need to comply with US regulations on origin and always be ready to fully participate in the explanation process of the US investigation agency on Trade Defense cases. At the same time, closely coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade (Department of Trade Defense) and diplomatic missions abroad to closely monitor the situation to have appropriate responses.

According to many importing countries, Vietnamese goods exported to the US market have competitive prices and good quality, contributing to reducing inflation and greatly supporting bilateral trade activities.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/co-hoi-nao-xuat-khau-nhom-thep-khi-hoa-ky-ap-thue-25-373209.html