CEOs of global brands call on US to provide more vaccines to Vietnam

The world's leading apparel and footwear brands are looking at significant supply chain disruptions with the COVID-19 outbreak in Vietnam

Phan Thi Thanh Xuan, vice chairman of the Vietnam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association (Lefaso), said the letter was signed by apparel and footwear brands that are global buyers and distributors for Vietnamese companies. The letter from the 90 CEOs urged US President Joe Biden to support Vietnam with more vaccines to avoid supply chain disruptions.

According to the letter, Vietnam is an important economic and supply chain partner to the United States. The country is currently the third-largest supplier of apparel and footwear to the US but it is experiencing a severe outbreak of the coronavirus.

Due to the connectivity along the value chain, Vietnamese suppliers are linked with the industries which are employing three million workers in the US. Thus, the rapid revival of Vietnam's key sectors, through the vaccine supply programme, will minimise the risk of supply chain disruption in the industries related to the US market and businesses.

On July 27, the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) representing more than 1,000 world-famous brands, retailers, and manufacturers also sent a letter to President Biden to increase vaccine distribution and support safety protocols in Vietnam.

“I am writing to urge you to immediately ramp up distribution of excess US vaccines to Vietnam and other key partner countries. This distribution should focus on key populations in these countries, particularly those populations that are critical to the economic success of these countries to quickly foster recovery from this humanitarian crisis and, ultimately, long-term health and stability. Without such a surge in targeted distribution of vaccines, COVID-19 will instead destroy the very industries that these countries depend on for their economic livelihoods. Thanks to your leadership, the United States is the only country that can provide these vaccines, now,” wrote Lamar in the letter to the US president.