Eight trade associations representing Vietnamese and South Korean investors and factories in Vietnam recently wrote to the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) to consider an extension of the comment period on the Vietnam Section 301 Investigation so that they can provide the latter with the most well-rounded and impartial comments and inputs.
Vietnamese consumers have enjoyed US goods and services and vice versa. This has entirely owed itself to the efforts by services and goods exporters and importers of the two countries, which is not related to Vietnamese government’s monetary policies that are generally focused on domestic goals like inflation control and macroeconomic stability, the letter said.
“We would like to seek opportunities to collect and provide verifiable and comprehensive evidence to prove such fact to USTR, thus request USTR to reopen the comment period, allowing interested parties to appear at the hearing, and to defer the hearing and post-hearing comment deadline to a later date that deems to be appropriate for this significant matter,” the letter said.
The associations include the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association, the Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam Leather Footwear and Handbag Association, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Vietnam Logistics Business Association and the Korean Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam.
USTR will investigate Vietnam’s acts, policies and practices related to the import and use of timber that is illegally harvested or traded and those that may contribute to the undervaluation of its currency and the resultant harm caused to US commerce.
