Vietnam Trade Beats Estimates as Buyers Race Trump Tariffs (2)

Vietnam’s exports jumped more than expected in July, with buyers racing to avoid a 20% tariff on the country’s exports to the US set to take effect on Aug. 7.

Exports rose 16% in July from a year earlier to $42.3 billion, the statistics office said in a statement, beating expectations of 14% growth. Imports rose 17.8% in the period to $40 billion, more than the 15.2% forecast. The trade surplus was $2.27 billion, versus $2.83 billion released in June.

The Southeast Asian nation, an export powerhouse that sells everything from coffee and clothing to engine parts, has been shipping ...