Vietnam Makes Critical Decision to Retreat from Trade War with US at Early Stage

Vietnam’s stock market saw some life at the end of the trading session on Friday after the report that the Southeast Asian country is making a prompt action on negotiating with the Trump Administration about tariffs.

In addition to an urgent negotiation team, there is also a report that Vietnam will eliminate all tariffs on U.S. goods, according to Derrick Evans, Former member of the West Virginia House and Candidate for US Senate in West Virginia on X.

The fact-checking regarding this post is under way, but the reaction in the Vietnamese stock market could prove some ground to this story.

The Ho Chi Minh Stock Index (VNI) plunged as much as 5.8% in early trade, but was able to pare a majority of its losses to close at -1.56%.

VNI 1-day chart 4 Apr 2025

The recovery came after the report that Vietnam’s trade ministry has urged the Trump administration to delay its proposed 46% tariff on Vietnamese imports and enter into further discussions.

Following President Donald Trump’s announcement of a minimum 10% import tax on all nations exporting to the US, with additional levies for around 60 countries, Vietnam faced one of the highest “reciprocal” tariffs.

In a diplomatic communication, the ministry requested talks and a possible conversation between Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The ministry emphasized the need for dialogue and negotiation, indicating that Vietnamese exports to the US primarily compete with products from other nations rather than American goods.

A delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc is scheduled to travel to the US this weekend, reflecting Vietnam’s ongoing efforts to address the situation diplomatically.