Vietnam promises to buy American weapons to avoid tariffs

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Vietnam has pledged to increase its purchases of American goods, particularly in security and defense sectors, as it urgently seeks discussions with the United States to address newly imposed tariffs.

The U.S., which represents Vietnam’s largest export destination in the first quarter, has recently announced substantial 46 percent duties on Vietnamese imports, prompting the Southeast Asian nation to request immediate negotiations.

Vietnam is seeking President Donald Trump’s approval for a 45-day delay in implementing these tariffs to allow time for diplomatic discussions.

🇻🇳Trump's🇺🇸 moving the needle with Vietnam
In a strategic move to dodge looming U.S. tariffs, Vietnam is slashing duties on American goods like LNG and cars while greenlighting Starlink services. With a trade surplus topping $123 billion last year, the Southeast Asian… pic.twitter.com/ozQ2LpFbxu

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— AJ (@ajsallen) March 28, 2025

According to a government statement released Monday evening, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh indicated Vietnam’s commitment to engaging in bilateral negotiations with the United States to achieve balanced trade relations.

The statement also outlined Vietnam’s intention to expand its procurement of American products, specifically in areas where the U.S. exhibits strength and Vietnam shows demand, including defense-related items and accelerating existing aircraft procurement agreements.

These tariffs on Vietnam are part of Trump’s broader international trade initiative announced recently, aimed at securing better deals for American producers and consumers.

To Lam, the general secretary of Vietnam’s Communist Party, has reached out to Trump through a formal letter requesting a postponement of the tariff implementation.

My theory on Vietnam’s rapid capitulation is that SO MUCH of Vietnam’s output is American companies just cutting costs thru cheap labor and inferior materials, usually through an American broker.

Much of their market is goods coming right back to America.

There are companies…

— Tandy (@dantypo) April 6, 2025

AFP obtained a copy of the letter, which revealed that Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc has been designated as the primary negotiator with American officials. The letter expressed a desire to reach a swift resolution and mentioned To Lam’s hope to meet Trump in Washington by May’s end.

“Just had a very productive call with To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, who told me that Vietnam wants to cut their Tariffs down to ZERO if they are able to make an agreement with the U.S.,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.

“I thanked him on behalf of our Country, and said I look forward to a meeting in the near future,” he added.

This communication occurred shortly after Trump’s announcement of comprehensive global reciprocal and baseline tariffs, which included the significant 46-percent discounted reciprocal duty on Vietnamese imports.

The new reciprocal tariff measures affecting multiple countries are scheduled to take effect after midnight on April 9.