By Khanh Vu

HANOI (Reuters) -Vietnam’s exports in August rose 14.5% from a year earlier to $43.39 billion, government data showed on Saturday, the first trade figures since a tariff of 20% on shipments to the United States took effect during the month.

Imports in the month rose 17.7% from a year earlier to $39.67 billion, for a trade surplus of $3.72 billion for the month, the National Statistics Office (NSO) said in a report.

Vietnam’s biggest market, the United States imposed the 20% tariff from August 7, while transshipments from third countries through Vietnam face a levy of 40%.

The Southeast Asian manufacturing hub reported total trade of $99.1 billion with the United States for the period from January to August, the statistics office said.

Vietnam’s trade with China stood at $1

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