Hanoi, 3 August 2026 – Vietnam’s merchandise trade deficit widened to US$3.59 billion in July as imports continued rising faster than exports, highlighting the Southeast Asian manufacturing hub’s increasing demand for machinery, electronic components and production materials.
The July shortfall increased from an estimated US$2.85 billion in June, extending the country’s return to a trade deficit after several years in which strong export growth regularly generated surpluses. The latest movement suggests that Vietnam’s industrial expansion is requiring significantly more imported inputs before finished goods can be manufactured and shipped overseas.
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