Slapped by Trump's Tariffs, Xi Makes Turn To Neighbours!

Chinese President Xi Jinping began a week-long Southeast Asia tour in Vietnam, emphasizing China’s commitment to global trade amid escalating U.S. tariffs.

With the U.S. imposing 145% tariffs on Chinese goods, while pausing levies on others, Xi’s visit underscores China’s bid to position itself as a stable partner, contrasting with U.S. unpredictability under President Donald Trump.

Xi, in a joint editorial in Vietnamese and Chinese media, declared, “There are no winners in a tariff war,” urging cooperation to safeguard multilateral trade and supply chains. In Hanoi, he met Vietnam’s Communist Party General Secretary To Lam and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, aiming to deepen ties.

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The visit, Xi’s third to Vietnam since 2013, signals Southeast Asia’s strategic importance, especially as Vietnam navigates a 46% U.S. tariff threat, paused for 90 days.

Vietnam, a manufacturing hub benefiting from U.S.-China trade decoupling, faces risks as a perceived conduit for Chinese goods. China remains its top trading partner, with 2024 trade up 14.6%. Yet, tensions persist over South China Sea disputes.

Xi’s tour, continuing to Malaysia and Cambodia, aims to bolster economic alliances and counter tariff impacts, showcasing China as a reliable regional leader.

Analysts see this as a calculated move to insulate China from U.S. pressures while addressing regional anxieties about economic fallout. With 40 agreements expected in Vietnam, including railway projects, Xi’s diplomacy seeks to cement China’s influence in a turbulent trade landscape.

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