Vietnam named Priority Foreign Country for IP piracy in US 2026 Special 301 Report

The United States Trade Representative released its 2026 Special 301 Report, placing Vietnam in the top‑severity “Priority Foreign Country” (PFC) category for intellectual‑property violations. The designation triggers a 30‑day window for the USTR to decide whether to open a Section 301 investigation, which could lead to trade actions aimed at improving Vietnam’s enforcement of copyright and patent laws.

The report cites Vietnam as a major hub for online piracy, hosting services such as MegaCloud, MyFlixerz and the previously prominent anime‑streaming site HiAnime, which attracted over 150 million monthly users before its shutdown. USTR officials warned that Vietnam’s current penalties are insufficient to deter infringement and urged the government to increase criminal prosecutions, prison terms and fines.

The same document moved Argentina and Mexico from the Priority Watch List to the Watch List, added the European Union to the Watch List, and removed Bulgaria. Overall, 25 countries were placed on the Priority Watch List or Watch List, and the USTR pledged intensive engagement with the listed nations over the coming year.