Fact Check: China is a major source of exports to the US through Vietnam.

Fact Check: China is a major source of exports to the US through Vietnam.

Published July 3, 2025
by TruthOrFake AI
±
VERDICT
Partially True

# Fact Check: "China is a major source of exports to the US through Vietnam." ## What We Know The claim that "China is a major source of exports to t...

Fact Check: "China is a major source of exports to the US through Vietnam."

What We Know

The claim that "China is a major source of exports to the US through Vietnam" has some basis in reality, particularly in the context of recent trade dynamics. Since the onset of the US-China trade war in 2018, Vietnam has seen a significant increase in its exports to the United States. In 2021, it was estimated that about 16% of US exports from Vietnam, amounting to approximately $15.5 billion, were rerouted Chinese products. However, this figure is somewhat misleading, as more detailed trade data suggests that only about 1.8% of goods, or $1.7 billion, were likely to have been rerouted without adding value to Vietnam's economy (source-2, source-3).

Moreover, Vietnam has been importing more goods from China, which indicates a complex trade relationship where Chinese products are often processed or assembled in Vietnam before being exported to the US. This has led to concerns about the authenticity of the "Made in Vietnam" label, as many products may have significant Chinese components (source-1).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim is nuanced. On one hand, the significant increase in Vietnamese exports to the US can be partially attributed to Chinese goods being rerouted through Vietnam to avoid tariffs. This has been confirmed by various studies, including one that analyzed transaction-level trade data and found that while a portion of exports from Vietnam to the US originated from China, the actual rerouting of goods was less than commonly perceived (source-2, source-3).

On the other hand, the claim lacks clarity regarding the extent of this rerouting and the added value that Vietnam contributes to these products. The majority of the imports from China that are processed in Vietnam do contribute to the local economy, but not all of them are simply transshipped without any modification or value addition. This complexity suggests that while China is indeed a source of exports to the US through Vietnam, the narrative oversimplifies the economic interactions between these countries.

Additionally, the reliability of the sources is generally high, as they include academic research and reputable news outlets. However, the interpretation of trade data can vary, and some sources may have inherent biases based on their economic interests or political affiliations (source-1, source-2).

Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True
The claim that "China is a major source of exports to the US through Vietnam" is partially true. While there is evidence that a significant portion of Vietnamese exports to the US includes goods that originated in China, the extent of this rerouting is often exaggerated. The actual percentage of goods that are rerouted without adding value is much lower than commonly reported. Furthermore, Vietnam's growing economy and its role as a processing hub for Chinese goods complicate the narrative, indicating that the relationship is more intricate than a simple transshipment model.

Sources

  1. Vietnam's shipments from China, to US reach record high amid trade ... Reuters
  2. Charting the US-China Trade War: What Does 'Made in Vietnam' Mean? Harvard Business School
  3. PDF Exports in Disguise?: Trade Rerouting during the US-China Trade War Harvard Business School

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Fact Check: China is a major source of exports to the US through Vietnam. | TruthOrFake Blog