American IP probe against Vietnam seen as much about trade deficit as fakes

Analysts point to massive bilateral import imbalance as possible motivation for action

Employees produce protective face masks at a factory in Vietnam. The U.S. has launched a third probe against the Southeast Asian nation under its trade legislation in as many months, a move analysts suggest is likely to be as much about addressing its bilateral trade deficit as tackling intellectual property issues. © Getty Images

HO CHI MINH CITY -- When the U.S. announced late on Friday that it was kicking off an investigation into Vietnam's intellectual property protection and enforcement, Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the administration wanted to see "responsive action" that is "sustained and that deters future IP infringements."