📰 New article from TorrentFreak
U.S. Brands Vietnam as a Rare ‘Priority Foreign Country’ Over Online Piracy Concerns
### The U.S. Just Put Vietnam on “Piracy Probation”
If you thought being on a “Watch List” was bad, try being labeled a “Priority Foreign Country.” It’s the diplomatic equivalent of getting a formal warning from your landlord—and it hasn’t happened in thirteen years.
In its latest Special 301 Report, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) officially escalated Vietnam to this rare, high-stakes category. The reason? A massive, ongoing headache involving online piracy and counterfeiting. While heavy hitters like China and Russia remain on the Watch List, Vietnam just moved into a much more uncomfortable spotlight.
The U.S. isn’t just annoyed by local copyright theft; they’re concerned that Vietnam has become a global hub for “piracy-as-a-service.” Major sites like MegaCloud and MyFlixerz have been flagged as primary offenders, hosting English-language content that targets audiences far beyond Vietnam’s borders.
The U.S. is essentially calling out the lack of “teeth” in Vietnamese enforcement. For example, a major crackdown on the site Fmovies resulted in fines so small they were practically pocket change. The USTR wants real deterrents—think actual prison time and substantial penalties—rather than symbolic gestures.
Why this matters: This isn’t just a slap on the wrist. Within 30 days of this designation, the U.S. has to decide whether to launch a formal investigation that could lead to much scarier things: tariffs and trade sanctions. Vietnam is officially on notice.