Vietnam among countries entitled to US reciprocal tariff pause

In the early hours of Thursday (Vietnam time), U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social his decision to immediately jack up the tax rate on Chinese imports to 125 percent.

“Based on the fact that more than 75 countries have called Representatives of the United States, including the Departments of Commerce, Treasury, and the USTR [United States Trade Representative], to negotiate a solution to the subjects being discussed relative to trade, trade barriers, tariffs, currency manipulation, and non-monetary tariffs, and that these countries have not, at my strong suggestion, retaliated in any way, shape, or form against the United States.

“I have authorized a 90 day PAUSE, and a substantially lowered reciprocal tariff during this period, of 10%, also effective immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

Speaking with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper from the U.S., Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan, who joined the working delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc, confirmed that the U.S. has temporarily suspended retaliatory tariffs for 90 days for various countries, including Vietnam.

The U.S. administration also applied a 10-percent retaliatory tariff to all the more than 75 countries during this period.

Tan affirmed that Vietnam will also benefit from the 10-percent tariff rate during this time.

Thus, Vietnam still has a significant advantage in exporting goods to the U.S. market.

With the suspension, Vietnam will have additional time to prepare for negotiations on a reciprocal tax agreement.

According to experts and the business community, this initial outcome is positive news and marks the first result of negotiation efforts by Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam, the government, and relevant ministries and agencies.

This is also an opportunity for Vietnam to make strategic shifts in negotiating reciprocal tariffs, pursuing a bilateral agreement with the U.S., and restructuring production and business activities.

The Vietnamese government announced on Thursday morning that Deputy Prime Minister Phoc, as a special envoy of Party General Secretary To Lam, had met with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. He reaffirmed Vietnam’s desire to continue deepening its comprehensive strategic partnership with the U.S..

Vietnam particularly wishes to work with relevant U.S. agencies to realize the exchanges made between Vietnamese Party chief To Lam and U.S. President Donald Trump on April 4, thereby maintaining a stable and sustainable economic-trade relationship that benefits businesses and the people of both countries.

Greer agreed that both sides would begin negotiations on a reciprocal trade agreement, which will include tariff discussions. He also proposed that representatives from both countries begin exchanges immediately.

Both sides agreed to continue closely coordinating efforts to promote a favorable business environment, proactively review and minimize non-tariff barriers to each other’s goods, facilitate U.S. enterprises expanding investment and operations in Vietnam, and strengthen cooperation in monitoring and preventing trade fraud.