KPMG launches tariff modeller in Vietnam to navigate US tariff risks

Vietnam’s position as a global manufacturing and export powerhouse continues to strengthen, but with international trade dynamics shifting rapidly, businesses now face a complex new layer of risk: tariffs.

From the recent 20 per cent US import tariff on key Vietnamese goods to the potential for even stricter transshipment-related duties, exporters and manufacturers must move fast to stay competitive, compliant, and profitable.

Global supply chains are more interconnected, and more vulnerable, than ever before. With new tariffs, regulatory shifts, and geopolitical pressures, relying on static spreadsheets or outdated customs assumptions can put businesses at a major disadvantage.

To thrive in this environment, leading companies are turning to digital tariff modelling tools, platforms that enable real-time scenario planning, cost simulation, and risk analysis. A robust tariff modelling solution helps companies forecast the financial impact of tariff changes on products and markets. It enables businesses to adjust pricing, sourcing, and logistics strategies before risks materialise. Additionally, it supports ongoing compliance with complex regulations, particularly for exports bound for the US market. By leveraging automation and real-time updates, companies can also save time and reduce the risk of errors.

Recognising this need, a new digital platform has been introduced in Vietnam to support exporters and foreign direct investment (FDI)-driven manufacturers. It is one of the first and most comprehensive tariff modelling tools available locally, offering tailored insights into US trade rules, ASEAN supply chain dynamics, and material origin risks.

Key capabilities include simulating US tariff scenarios by analysing both current and future tariff rates – such as 20 per cent or 40 per cent – and assessing their impact on profit margins, pricing, and strategy. The solution also supports managing FDI supply chain risks by evaluating the impact of imported input materials, such as those from China, on compliance and cost competitiveness under US rules.

Automated cost impact reports replace time-consuming manual calculations with instant analytics, allowing for faster, smarter decision-making. Additionally, the platform offers customisable, data-driven insights by integrating company-specific data with up-to-date global tariff information to generate accurate, executive-level reports.

What truly differentiates this platform is not just its cutting-edge technology, but the depth of trade expertise that powers it. It enables businesses to make confident, data-driven decisions, replacing guesswork with clarity. This is achieved by combining in-depth knowledge of Vietnamese customs procedures and ASEAN trade agreements. It also offers direct access to US trade policy insights, creating a rare bridge between local operations and global compliance requirements.

The result is more than a digital tool, it’s a strategic framework businesses can rely on to shape and sustain their long-term export growth.

Whether you're a foreign investor manufacturing in Vietnam or a local exporter expanding into the US market, this is the time to future-proof your operations.

Join KPMG Tariff Modeler Demo Workshop to see how this powerful tariff modelling platform can help your business gain clarity, save costs, and stay ahead of global trade shifts. Register here: Experience KPMG Tariff Modeler - First demo in Vietnam

KPMG in Vietnam presented its 2024 Vietnam Customer Experience Excellence (CEE) Report, based on insights from over 1,500 Vietnamese consumers, on December 19.

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and KPMG Vietnam signed an MoU in Hanoi on March 6, reaffirming their shared commitment to promoting sustainable development and driving prosperity for the Vietnamese business community.

ASEAN is expected to unite and build common standards to support small businesses and strengthen regional trade resilience. Nhan Huynh, partner in Trade and Customs for KPMG in Vietnam, shared with VIR’s Hazy Tran that ASEAN’s true economic potential remains trapped behind a dense web of non-tariff barriers, demanding bold, enforceable reforms.