The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) published a notice in the Federal Register on 10 November (document 2026-22868) extending by three months its Section 301 investigation of Vietnam's acts, policies and practices related to IP protection and enforcement. Determinations on actionability and on what action, if any, to take will be made by 28 February 2027. The notice is effective from 3 November 2026.
The investigation was initiated on 29 May 2026 under Section 302(b)(2) of the Trade Act of 1974.
Section 304(a)(3)(A) requires findings within six months for investigations that do not involve a trade agreement; Section 304(a)(3)(B) allows nine months where, among other things, the issues are complex and need more time. USTR determined that this investigation involves complex or complicated issues.
The notice only extends the deadline. It makes no finding on actionability and announces no tariffs or other measures.
J&C notes: businesses that manufacture, source or sell branded goods in Vietnam may want to watch for USTR's determinations by 28 February 2027 and review their Vietnamese trade mark and other IP portfolios and enforcement records in advance, so they can assess the impact of any trade measures.
Source: www.govinfo.gov
