Abstract
Since the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) came into effect, the European Union (EU) has become an important export market for Vietnamese agricultural products. However, alongside tariff preferences, the EU has increasingly imposed green barriers and other technical barriers to trade (TBT), creating new challenges for exporters. Drawing on secondary data and qualitative research methods, this article examines the current situation of Vietnamese agricultural exports to the EU in the context of tightening green requirements. The findings indicate that green barriers not only generate significant compliance pressure but also serve as a catalyst for the transition toward sustainable production, thereby enhancing firms’ competitiveness. On this basis, the study proposes several managerial orientations and policy implications to support Vietnamese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in adapting to regulatory changes and strengthening their access to the EU market amid growing volatility in global trade.
