USTR Initiates Section 301 Investigation into Vietnam Intellectual Property Practices, Cites Five Core Deficiencies

Summary

The U.S. Trade Representative formally launched a Section 301 investigation into Vietnam’s intellectual property protection and enforcement practices on May 29, following the country’s designation as a Priority Foreign Country in the April 2026 Special 301 Report. USTR identified five core deficiencies: inadequate online piracy enforcement, widespread counterfeiting with insufficient border enforcement, failure to exercise ex officio customs authority, lack of action against unlicensed software use, and absence of criminal measures against signal theft. Public comments due July 2; determination within six months (late November 2026).