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Recently, Turkey officially implemented safeguard measures on imports of the chemical product Ethyl Acetate (also known as ethyl acetate) into its market. Notably, Vietnam is not included in the list of exempted countries, meaning Vietnamese exporting enterprises will be subject to safeguard tariffs effective from June 22, 2025.
This development will directly impact the competitiveness and export performance of this product in the Turkish market.
According to information from the Import Directorate General (DGI) under Turkey’s Ministry of Trade, the product under investigation is Ethyl Acetate classified under HS code 2915.31.00.00.00. The investigation was initiated on April 8, 2024, covering the period from 2021 to 2023. In its investigation conclusion, the DGI found that imports of this product into Turkey have sharply increased both in absolute and relative terms.
Specifically, imports rose by 27% in 2022 and continued to increase by another 6% in 2023 compared to the previous year. Overall, imports in 2023 were 35% higher than in 2021. This trend has been determined to cause serious injury to Turkey’s domestic production sector, reflected by significant declines in output, domestic sales, capacity utilization rates, and profitability throughout the investigation period.
The DGI also noted that this sudden surge was due to several unforeseen factors, most notably the increase in production capacity in countries such as China, the United Kingdom, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia since 2021. This led to a redirection of exports toward Turkey—especially from countries geographically close to Turkey.
Additionally, China’s adjustment of its export tax rebate policy from 10% to 13% has significantly enhanced the competitiveness of Ethyl Acetate originating from China. Moreover, since 2018, the United States has imposed additional tariffs under Section 301 on Ethyl Acetate from China, causing China’s exports to shift to lower-tariff markets such as Turkey, where the ordinary import tariff remains at 5.5%.
Under the newly adopted safeguard measure, Turkey will impose a tariff quota mechanism on the import volume of Ethyl Acetate. Specifically, for three consecutive years starting June 22, 2025, only 10,000 tons of the product will be allowed to enter annually under the quota, with the tariff gradually decreasing from USD 110/ton in the first year to USD 99/ton in the third year.
Vietnam’s exclusion from exemption indicates that its import volume has been assessed as significant, exceeding the 3% threshold of total imports into Turkey—a criterion for exemption under current regulations.
In light of this situation, Vietnamese enterprises exporting Ethyl Acetate should exercise particular caution and proactively review their entire market strategy. Continuing to export to Turkey will face substantial cost barriers, directly affecting profits and market share.
Enterprises need to closely monitor developments in Turkey’s trade policies, assess the impact of this safeguard measure on their production and business activities, and consider diversifying export markets to reduce dependence on markets with high trade remedy risks.
Additionally, companies should proactively engage and collaborate with reputable trade remedy law firms to receive guidance on potential eligibility for exemption mechanisms (if any), as well as support in providing necessary information and data to protect their legitimate rights and interests in similar future cases.
In the context of trade remedy measures becoming increasingly widespread and complex, early, proactive, and strategic responses are critical for Vietnamese enterprises to maintain effective and sustainable presence in the international market.
To protect their legitimate interests, manufacturers and exporters should familiarize themselves with the procedure and actively contact Vietnamese law firms specializing in anti-dumping and trade remedy for timely assistance.
ASL Law is a leading full-service and independent Vietnamese law firm made up of experienced and talented lawyers. ASL Law is ranked as the top tier Law Firm in Vietnam by Legal500, Asia Law, WTR, and Asia Business Law Journal. Based in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, the firm’s main purpose is to provide the most practical, efficient and lawful advice to its domestic and international clients. If we can be of assistance, please email to [email protected].
ASL LAW is the top-tier Vietnam law firm for Anti-dumping & countervailing. If you need any advice, please contact us for further information or collaboration.
