USTR 2026 Special 301 Report: Vietnam Identified as a Priority Foreign Country for Intellectual Property Concerns
The 2026 Special 301 Report, published by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), provides an annual review of intellectual property protection and enforcement among U.S. trading partners. The report highlights global developments, market access issues, enforcement challenges, and country-specific concerns relating to intellectual property rights.
In the 2026 report, USTR identifies Vietnam as a Priority Foreign Country, marking the first time in thirteen years that a country has been placed in this category. According to the report, this identification is based on long-standing concerns regarding intellectual property protection and enforcement in Vietnam.
The report outlines several key areas of concern, including online piracy, counterfeit goods, border enforcement, unlicensed software use, and cable and satellite signal theft. USTR states that these issues have affected U.S. copyright-related industries, brands, and other IP-reliant sectors.
At the same time, the report also acknowledges certain enforcement actions taken in Vietnam, including actions against piracy-related platforms and continued engagement between Vietnam and the United States on intellectual property matters. USTR indicates that it will continue to engage with Vietnam and may consider further actions under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Overall, the 2026 Special 301 Report provides an important reference for understanding international intellectual property enforcement trends, with particular attention to Vietnam’s current position in the U.S. trade and IP policy framework.
