Increased exports thanks to free trade agreements: Opportunities always come with challenges

Processing tra fish for export at Sao Mai Group's factory ( An Giang ). (Photo: Vu Sinh/VNA)

In the flow of international economic integration, Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) have become the "golden key" opening the door to the global market for Vietnamese goods.

Amidst the unpredictable fluctuations of the world economy, effectively utilizing FTAs is not only an opportunity but also a matter of survival to improve competitiveness and affirm Vietnam's position.

FTAs are the driving force to improve competitiveness.

In the context of the global economy facing many unpredictable fluctuations, the need to find new markets has become more urgent than ever. For many years, Vietnam has implemented a strategy of diversifying markets, products and distribution channels to maintain and strengthen its position in international trade. One of the key elements of this strategy is the effective implementation of signed FTAs. Through these agreements, Vietnam not only has access to potential markets with preferential tariffs but also has the opportunity to enhance competitiveness, improve product quality and participate more deeply in the global value chain.

In particular, new generation FTAs such as CPTPP, EVFTA, RCEP... have brought outstanding benefits.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hoi, Director of the Institute for Strategy and Policy Research on Industry and Trade, emphasized: “These FTAs not only promote traditional trade but also expand into non-traditional areas such as environment, labor and transparency, setting higher standards for businesses”. This shows that FTAs are not only a trade tool but also a driving force to promote institutional reform and improve national competitiveness.

With 17 signed FTAs, Vietnam has achieved impressive achievements in exports. These agreements not only help reduce production costs, but also improve policies and expand opportunities for foreign investors.

Mr. Vu Ba Phu, Director of the Trade Promotion Agency, Ministry of Industry and Trade, shared: "This year's import-export targets assigned by the Government to the Industry and Trade sector are very heavy but also full of expectations, with total export turnover of goods increasing by 12% and trade surplus reaching about 30 billion USD."

Rice packaging line for export in An Giang province. (Photo: Hong Dat/VNA)

In fact, the trade picture in the first 8 months of 2025 has recorded many bright spots when the total import-export turnover nearly reached the 600 billion USD mark, up 16.3% over the same period last year. This is an important momentum for the economy to enter the 2026-2030 period with the goal of sustainable growth.

Challenges from strict standards

The Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the European Union (EVFTA), which took effect in August 2020, has become a big boost for Vietnam's exports in the EU region, a market with high purchasing power but also full of challenges with strict standards.

Mr. Tran Ngoc Quan, Trade Counselor in Belgium and the EU, affirmed: “EVFTA has brought great advantages to Vietnam, an opportunity for businesses to diversify markets and increase their presence in Europe”. Since the agreement took effect, two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and the EU has increased sharply from 55.4 billion USD in 2020 to 68.3 billion USD in 2024, demonstrating the clear effectiveness of EVFTA on key export industries.

However, opportunities always come with challenges. Mr. Tran Ngoc Quan also warned that Vietnamese enterprises will have to face tightening food safety inspections and self-defense measures on steel and alloys.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoang Thuy, Trade Counselor in Sweden also emphasized: “In the long term, when Europe returns to the sustainable development trajectory, only businesses that meet green standards and produce responsibly will maintain their position. This is a mandatory condition, no longer a choice”. These strict requirements pose a difficult problem for Vietnamese businesses when they have to both meet high standards and compete with international rivals.

To maintain its advantages and expand its market share in the EU, Vietnam needs to develop a synchronous strategy. On the policy front, it is necessary to strengthen coordination with industry associations, tighten origin management to prevent evasion, and make the most of the mechanisms of the EVFTA and other FTAs.

Experts also recommend that businesses not only innovate products and services but also upgrade management capacity, apply digital technology and build strong brands. In particular, improving export quality, boosting localization rates, innovating technology and forming sustainable supply chains are key factors to increase competitiveness.

In addition, the transition to a green, sustainable production model is an urgent requirement. Enterprises need to invest in processing, packaging and traceability technology to meet strict EU standards from the beginning. At the same time, seriously addressing food safety warnings is indispensable to maintain market confidence.

FTAs, especially EVFTA, have been opening up vast opportunities for Vietnam's exports, but also pose many challenges that require flexibility and creativity from both the government and businesses. Effectively utilizing these agreements not only helps Vietnamese goods reach further but also contributes to enhancing national prestige, creating a driving force for sustainable development of the economy. The integration journey has never been easy, but with consensus and determination, Vietnam can completely turn challenges into opportunities to affirm its position in the international arena.

Source Vietnam+

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/kinh-te/202509/tang-xuat-khau-nho-hiep-dinh-thuong-mai-tu-do-co-hoi-luon-di-kem-voi-thach-thuc-b97149d/