Vietnam was among the first countries singled out by President Donald Trump for showing a willingness to negotiate over tariffs following a phone call between the US leader and Communist Party chief To Lam. The two countries announced talks hours after Trump declared a 90-day pause on higher tariffs, which he has temporarily pared back to 10%. Vietnam was facing a 46% duty on products shipped to its most important export market.
Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said his nation has a “unique bond” with the US as his government engages in trade talks with the Trump administration to avoid a large tariff on its products.
Chinh, who earlier this week warmly welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to Hanoi, said Vietnam’s relationship with the US is unlike ties with other countries, according to a post on the government’s website Friday. The premier made the comments in a meeting in the capital with Warburg Pincus Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Perlman, who is also chairman of the US-Asean Business Council. US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper also attended.
