The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has extended by three months (no later than end-February 2027) for its Section 301 investigation into Vietnam’s acts, policies, and practices on intellectual property protection and enforcement,

The USTR made the updates in a notice published on Tuesday.

The investigation was launched on May 29. Section 301 allows the US government to investigate foreign trade practices and to take action against those found to be unreasonable or discriminatory.

The notice says the office has found the case involves complex issues that need more time, while Vietnam is making progress on legislative or administrative measures or enforcement. As a result, the deadline is extended to nine months and the determinations will be made by February 28, 2027.

In a comment sent to the USTR, Tesla said it has been building a vertically integrated U.S. supply base. It said certain critical inputs, including advanced battery components, specialized semiconductors, rare earth elements, and precision manufacturing equipment, cannot yet be sourced domestically at the scale, quality, or cost needed to sustain competitive U.S. manufacturing.

Regarding the investigation against Vietnam, Tesla emphasized that any tariff measures should take into account the supply chain needs of American manufacturers. Tesla urged trade policy that empowers a global supply chain transition rather than constraining it.

Similarly, Samsung said if the USTR does move ahead with tariffs, none should target consumer products, particularly those with few alternative sources. In its view, such tariffs would not help end the practices under investigation but would raise prices for trusted technology and strengthen the competitive position of less reliable trading partners and production locations.

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