Vietnam Exports More Tech to US, but China Still Outpaces for Smartphones

As 200 CEOs opposed the possible U.S. tariffs on Vietnamese goods, newly released November Census Bureau import statistics show Vietnam’s growing role in consumer tech. Vietnam as a sourcing country made substantial share gains the past year in product categories experiencing historic spikes in consumer demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, we found. It's most notable in smaller TV screens. U.S. importers also sourced about a fifth of smartphones from Vietnam in the year through November. Smartphone imports to the U.S. from all countries reached 21.44 million, up 1.6% from 2019. Chinese smartphone imports to the U.S. were 18.28 million, up 18%. The average such phone, at $367.30, was 27% more expensive. Vietnam shipped 2.6 million smartphones here in November, down 43%. The average at $187.87 was 24% more expensive. Tariffs on Vietnam aren't the answer to curb Hanoi's allegedly unfair devaluation of the dong against the dollar, wrote CEOs of LG, Samsung, Sony, CTA, the Computer & Communications Industry Association, Information Technology Industry Council, Internet Association and Semiconductor Industry Association and others to President Donald Trump Thursday, posted Friday in docket USTR-2020-0037. Their letter reflects widespread fear the Trump administration will rush through a Federal Register notice imposing tariffs on Vietnam, even if the duties take effect after Jan. 20. The White House didn't comment Monday.