Vietnam Cracks Down on Counterfeits Amid US Trade Talks

Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called on the country’s anti-counterfeit task force to intensify efforts against fake goods, trade fraud, and smuggling, amid growing pressure from the United States over trade violations. The government issued a statement on Wednesday urging the adoption of new enforcement strategies, especially as online counterfeit activity surges.

The crackdown comes as Hanoi negotiates with Washington to avoid punitive tariffs, offering measures to address U.S. concerns, including intellectual property violations and the transshipment of Chinese goods labeled as Vietnamese exports. Internal government directives reviewed by Reuters indicate increased monitoring of digital piracy, counterfeit goods, and trade fraud.

Authorities say fraud is escalating across e-commerce platforms, with recent seizures of fake milk, food, and dietary supplements raising alarm over public health and safety. Since the start of 2025, officials have uncovered 1,100 cases related to counterfeit and IP violations, over 25,000 trade and tax fraud incidents, and 8,200 smuggling cases. Comparative data was not provided.

The Ministry of Public Security also revealed on Tuesday the arrest of Nguyen Thanh Phong, the former head of the Health Ministry’s food safety department. Phong is accused of accepting bribes since 2016 to issue fraudulent quality certificates to nine companies involved in counterfeit supplement production.

Vietnamese authorities acknowledge that the production and distribution of fake goods remain widespread, particularly online, and pose direct threats to public health. With smuggling and illegal cross-border trade still "complicated," the government is expected to tighten surveillance and enforcement.

This crackdown is viewed as a key step in addressing U.S. trade concerns and reinforcing Vietnam’s commitment to fair trade practices, intellectual property protection, and consumer safety.