At the 2025 Trade Defense Forum, Mr. Le Sy Giang, Director of GH Consults LLC, highlighted that trade defense measures include anti-dumping, countervailing duties, and safeguards. These tools are widely used by countries to protect domestic industries from imported goods.
Since the establishment of the WTO in 1995, approximately 8,400 investigations have been recorded globally, averaging a few hundred cases annually. Notably, from 2005 to 2024, the trend surged significantly: the first seven years saw around 200 cases, rising to 300, and now exceeding 400. In 2020, a record 433 cases were reported, surpassed by 453 cases in 2024.
Among initiating countries, India leads with 1,256 cases, followed by the U.S. with nearly 1,000, and the EU with over 589. Conversely, China faces the most investigations at 1,780, followed by South Korea (509) and Taiwan (358).
For Vietnam, the U.S. has conducted the most investigations, with 30 anti-dumping cases by late 2024. India follows with 25, Australia with 11, and Malaysia with 10. The EU, previously inactive, has increased investigations since the EVFTA’s implementation.
| Global trade defense investigations hit a record high in 2024 |
WTO data reveals metals and chemicals dominate global cases. Metals account for 32% of anti-dumping, 44% of countervailing, and 28% of safeguard cases; chemicals represent 20%, 14%, and 12%, respectively.
Vietnam’s structure mirrors this: metals comprise 40% of anti-dumping, 48% of countervailing, and 34% of safeguard cases. Textiles (16-17%) and machinery (12-13%) follow, with seafood (especially shrimp) at 8%, alongside wood, paper, and plastics.
A concerning trend is the rise in anti-circumvention investigations, targeting goods slightly altered, assembled from imported parts, or routed through third countries to evade tariffs.
Mr. Giang noted that while the EU and U.S. implemented anti-circumvention measures in the 1980s, WTO agreements lack unified rules. This gap allows countries to create their own mechanisms, with developed nations favoring flexibility, while export-heavy economies like China, South Korea, and Taiwan seek stricter origin-based rules.
The EU and U.S. lead anti-circumvention investigations, each with over 30 cases. Vietnam ranks third globally in such investigations, after China and Malaysia, followed by Taiwan and Thailand.
| The U.S. leads anti-dumping investigations against Vietnam over the past 20 years |
Vietnam’s export scale contributes to its frequent targeting. Total trade nears $1 trillion, with exports at $500 billion.
“As a major exporter, trade defense investigations are inevitable and will likely increase,” Mr. Giang predicted, warning that EU cases will surge in the next five years.
 Mr. Le Sy Giang forecasts rising trade defense cases against Vietnam – Photo: Tu Kinh
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Businesses must take proactive measures
Experts urged businesses to monitor supply chain shifts, increase domestic value-added, and reduce reliance on taxed materials. Failure to do so risks circumvention or origin fraud allegations, threatening market share and reputation.
Transparent supply chain management, robust record-keeping, and product traceability are essential. During investigations, authorities demand detailed records, cross-checked with accounting data. Inconsistencies can lead to rejection, emphasizing the need for integrated accounting systems.
Digital transformation mitigates risks. Modern software enables quick traceability of materials, product journeys, and suppliers, aiding swift responses to investigations and ensuring transparency.
Businesses should regularly review export records, stay updated on import regulations, and collaborate with industry associations for early warnings. Joint efforts among businesses, associations, and regulators foster long-term strategies over reactive measures.
Experts stressed that trade defense measures, while challenging, drive businesses to restructure supply chains, invest in technology, and enhance competitiveness. Proactive, transparent actions ensure legal compliance and sustainable international market advantages.
“Trade defense safeguards hundreds of thousands of domestic jobs”
– 09:08 29/09/2025
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