Trade mission is part of ongoing effort to help members mitigate tariff and sourcing challenges
ROSEMONT, IL (May 9, 2025) – To help members explore alternatives to sourcing from China, the International Housewares Association (IHA) is organizing a trade mission to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam June 9-11, 2025. The trip, which will include private factory tours and one-on-one meetings with potential partners, is currently available for a limited number of companies.
This mission is part of IHA’s ongoing efforts to help members navigate tariff and sourcing challenges in a rapidly changing environment and follows two productive trips to Vietnam in the fall of 2023 and spring of 2024.
“With the current 145% tariffs on goods manufactured in China, many of our members are having to make significant adjustments to their business plans,” said Derek Miller, IHA president & CEO. “While IHA has organized trade missions to different countries over the years, this sourcing mission comes at a critical time and provides a unique opportunity for member companies to discover new sourcing options.”
IHA is partnering on the trip with Vietnam B2B Direct, who will review the product and material requirements of participating companies and supply a list of factories equipped to handle them. Attendees can then select which factories they wish to visit.
Participating companies will receive pre-mission preparation for individual factory visits, a daily schedule, transportation, local support from an English/Vietnamese-speaking sourcing specialist and post-event factory reports to facilitate next steps. A welcome meeting and meals are included.
IHA is also working to schedule another sourcing trip to India in October. In addition to the Vietnam trips, other recent missions included sales-oriented visits to Mexico City, Mexico and London, United Kingdom.
The upcoming Vietnam trade mission is one of several IHA initiatives to help members navigate the latest developments on tariffs and trade. To date, the association has held two webinars with updates from IHA’s Washington D.C.-based government affairs office and freight logistics service provider, TQL. The next webinar, featuring industry veteran Luke Peters on proven tariff mitigation strategies, will be held on May 14.
IHA also partnered with Quickcode to provide discounted access to their AI-powered tariff compliance software and developed a digital advocacy campaign to connect U.S. housewares suppliers with congressional representatives about tariff concerns.
A complete list of these resources – including U.S. manufacturers, bonded warehouses, and the latest news and updates – can be found in a new section of IHA’s website.
Companies interested in learning more about the upcoming Vietnam trade mission can contact Lori Szurdarek, IHA Senior Manager, International Buyer & Member Relations.
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The International Housewares Association (IHA) is the 87-year-old voice of the home and housewares industry, dedicated to bringing buyers and sellers together. IHA hosts the world’s premier exposition of products for the home, The Inspired Home Show, in Chicago every March. Each year, the Show brings together more than 2,000 unique brands and 300,000 products with both global and domestic buyers; U.S.-based attendees alone represent more than 100,000 retail locations and over $64 billion in buying power. The not-for-profit, full-service association also offers member companies a wide range of services including industry and government advocacy; export assistance; trend reports; executive management peer groups; group buying discounts; and an independent news and information platform, HomePageNews.com.
