Fresh tariff cuts set to encourage more trade

New commitments under the CPTPP’s roadmap will see the nation remove a number of import and export tariffs

The Ministry of Finance last week submitted a proposal to the prime minister regarding the enactment of a decree on a special preferential import and export tariff schedule for the country, by which it could implement its commitments under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in the 2019-2022 period.

The decree, which follows the National Assembly’s CPTPP adoption on November 12, 2018 and the deal’s entry into force for Vietnam on January 14, is expected to take effect during the first quarter of 2019.

Regarding the export tariff commitments of the CPTPP, the country pledges to remove all export tariffs for the majority of items that are currently subject to this type of tariff under a 5-15 year roadmap. Some important items such as fossil coal, crude oil, a range of different ores, and up to 70 natural minerals will be allowed to continue their export tariffs.

The nation’s preferential export tariff schedule includes 519 tariff lines, with different levels of average tax rates cut down gradually, with 19.1 per cent in 2019, 17.4 per cent in 2020, 15.7 per cent in 2021, and 14.1 per cent in 2022.

As for import tariff commitments in the CPTPP, Vietnam has promised to erase nearly 100 per cent of tariff lines under the roadmap. Specifically, 65.8 per cent of tariff lines will see a 0 per cent import tax rate immediately after the CPTPP takes effect. Additionally, in the fourth and 11th years following entry into the deal, a total of 86.5 and then 97.8 per cent of tariff lines will also enjoy a 0 per cent import tax rate.

The remaining items will see a 0 per cent import tax rate from the 16th year, depending on tariff quotas. This preferential import tariff schedule includes 10,216 tariff lines. Average tax rates will also enjoy a gradual reduction, from 9.1 per cent in 2019 to 7.7 per cent in 2020, 6.3 per cent in 2021, and 4.8 per cent in 2022.

According to a CPTPP governmental report recently delivered to the National Assembly, the CPTPP will greatly benefit the nation as the trading bloc’s total GDP is about $11 trillion, or 13.5 per cent of the global GDP. The bloc, which also includes Japan, the world’s third-largest economy, has a population of more than 500 million people.

Under a recent study conducted by the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), the CPTPP can grow Vietnam’s GDP and export turnover by 1.32 and 4.04 per cent, respectively, by 2035. Total import turnover will also likely rise by an additional 3.8 per cent until 2035.

“In terms of investment attraction, the CPTPP commitments on services and investment will help the nation improve its investment climate and attract more foreign direct investment (FDI),” said the report. “In terms of institutional reforms, the CPTPP will help further improve local businesses and the investment climate in favour of investors.”

According to the study, the CPTPP will also add an additional 20,000-26,000 jobs to Vietnam per year.

Under the MPI’s statistics, as of December 20, 2018, CPTPP nations had 7,570 investment projects in the country, registered at over $124 billion. This figure accounts for 36.45 per cent of the country’s total registered FDI, with Australia accounting for $1.865 billion, Brunei for $1 billion, Canada for $5 billion, Chile for $15,000, Japan for $57 billion, Malaysia for $12.5 billion, Mexico for $58,000, New Zealand for $92.1 million, and Singapore for $46.62 billion.