Vietnam aims to replace China in the wood supply chain

(Dan Tri) - Faced with the shift in the global supply chain, many Vietnamese wood enterprises are taking advantage of the opportunity to expand their markets, gradually replacing China's role in the world's furniture industry.

The new US tax policy on wooden products and furniture is expected to create significant pressure in the short term, but many Vietnamese businesses believe that this is also an opportunity to reposition their capacity, even replacing China's role in the global supply chain.

Opportunity for Vietnam to replace China

From October 14, the US began imposing a 10% tariff on imported softwood products, while upholstered furniture and kitchen cabinets are subject to a starting tariff of 25%. This tariff is expected to be adjusted from January 1, 2026.

According to Mr. Vu Quang Huy, Chairman and General Director of TEKCOM Joint Stock Company, the US tax tightening is not only a challenge, but also opens up opportunities for Vietnam. “If we see tax as an opportunity, businesses will proactively adapt and turn challenges into advantages in the medium and long term,” Mr. Huy shared.

He said that the US does not have the advantage of producing wood and furniture, so it still has to import. It is important that Vietnamese businesses quickly learn about the tax policies of competing countries and adjust their export strategies accordingly.

Previously, China accounted for 90% of global plywood production, but now it is only about 60% and continues to decrease. “That is a great opportunity for Vietnam, when we have advantages in supply chain and low production costs,” Mr. Huy emphasized.

He also said that during the recovery period of domestic real estate and construction, the increased demand for domestic wood and furniture consumption will be a fulcrum to help businesses diversify their markets and reduce dependence on exports.

Vietnam's wood and furniture industry has many opportunities to replace China in the global supply chain (Illustration photo: DT).

According to a wooden furniture exporter, when exporting, Vietnamese enterprises do not only sell products, but also carry stories about people, culture and creative spirit. This is what creates the difference and unique identity of Vietnamese goods in the international market. In the long term, product quality, the ability to meet international standards and sustainability are the foundations that help businesses survive, instead of depending on tariffs.

American partners still appreciate Vietnamese goods

Last October, more than 20 Vietnamese enterprises in the fields of wooden furniture, interior design, handicrafts, rattan and interior decoration attended the High Point Market 2025 Fair - the world's largest furniture center in the US, attracting more than 75,000 international trade visitors.

Here, Vietnamese businesses not only promote their products but also seek partners, update new technologies and learn global design trends. The Chairman of Wayfair Group (USA) highly appreciates the quality and design of Vietnamese products, saying that the participation of Vietnamese businesses brings many new options to the US retail system.

According to Mr. Hoang Minh Chien, Deputy Director of the Trade Promotion Agency ( Ministry of Industry and Trade ), the presence of Vietnamese enterprises at High Point Market is proof of the "lasting vitality and flexible adaptability of the Vietnamese wood industry in the context of many fluctuations in global trade".

Mr. Hoang Minh Chien - Deputy Director of the Department of Trade Promotion, Ministry of Industry and Trade shared at High Point Market (Photo: Ministry of Industry and Trade).

The US is currently Vietnam's largest export market for wood and wood products. In the first 6 months of 2025, export turnover to this market reached 4.6 billion USD, up 11.6% over the same period last year, accounting for nearly 56% of the total export turnover of the wood industry.

According to the Vietnam Timber and Forest Products Association, to reduce risks, businesses need to diversify their markets, targeting Europe, Japan, Australia, Canada, the Middle East and China, while increasing the use of American wood materials and upgrading designs to meet international standards.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/kinh-doanh/viet-nam-huong-toi-thay-the-trung-quoc-trong-chuoi-cung-ung-go-20251110092709502.htm