U.S.-China Tariff Hikes Reshape Global Supply Chains, Boost Vietnam Manufacturing

The U.S.-China trade conflict in 2025 has escalated tariff rates to historic highs, with the U.S. imposing a 34% tariff on Chinese goods and China retaliating with tariffs on U.S. agricultural products, prompting companies to realign supply chains through nearshoring and diversification to countries like Mexico, Vietnam, and India. The U.S.-Vietnam trade deal capped tariffs at 20% but imposed strict compliance rules to prevent transshipment from China, benefiting sectors like textiles while challenging electronics manufacturers reliant on Chinese components to meet substantial transformation criteria. To alleviate tariff costs, companies increasingly utilize U.S. Customs-sanctioned foreign trade zones and bonded warehouses to delay duty payments and improve cash flow, a strategy that has supported sectors from automotive to pharmaceuticals. Globally, the manufacturing sector is navigating volatility with regional opportunities emerging in Europe and North America, where diversified supply chains and compliance with trade agreements such as USMCA support industrial recovery and investment potential. Additionally, Delta Air Lines has innovatively mitigated U.S.-EU tariffs on European-built Airbus jets by removing U.S.-made engines before U.S. delivery, converting planes to “used” status to avoid duties, while simultaneously addressing fleet shortages, demonstrating complex supply chain adaptations amid global trade tensions.