United States imposes temporary tariffs on air compressors imported from Vietnam

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) has announced preliminary findings in the countervailing duty investigation on air compressors imported from Vietnam, China, and Malaysia, noting that  Vietnamese enterprises that have cooperated with the investigating authorities  are subject to a very low tariff rate of 0.35%.

According to the Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the countervailing duty investigation on air compressor products (case number: C-552-857) was initiated by the DOC on May 21, 2026, following a request from the petitioner, MAT Industries, LLC.

The products under investigation primarily fall under HS codes: 8414.80.16.15, 8414.80.16.25, 8414.80.16.35, and 84.14.80.16.85.

During the investigation, the DOC selected two Vietnamese enterprises as mandatory respondents. However, with one enterprise declining to participate, only one Vietnamese enterprise remained as a mandatory respondent.

Based on the preliminary findings, the DOC has imposed temporary countervailing duty rates on imports from Vietnam as follows:

Mandatory respondent: Subject to a 0.35% tariff rate, considered an insignificant subsidy.

Enterprises that declined to participate in the investigation: Eight enterprises that did not respond to the Quantity and Value questionnaire and did not participate in the investigation face a tariff rate of up to 74.39%, calculated based on adverse available data.

Other Vietnamese companies: Subject to a general tariff rate of 37.2%.

Notably, the preliminary subsidy margin for the mandatory Vietnamese respondent (0.35%) is the lowest among the countries under investigation.

Specifically, imports from China face preliminary margins ranging from 3.84% to 112.29%, while those from Malaysia reach up to 92.86%.

These results highlight the importance of Vietnamese enterprises actively cooperating with the investigating authorities to achieve positive outcomes.

Regarding subsequent procedures, the DOC plans to conduct on-site verification to confirm the information provided by the Vietnamese enterprise, which will serve as the basis for issuing the final determination and setting the official tariff rates.

Interested parties may submit comments no later than seven days after the final verification report is issued and file rebuttal briefs within the following five days.

Additionally, the DOC may hold a hearing (if requested) before issuing the final determination.

To protect their legal rights, the Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam advises involved enterprises to continue close cooperation, fully respond to subsequent questionnaires, prepare thoroughly for the DOC's on-site verification, and submit comments on the preliminary findings if necessary.