JUST IN: Vietnam offers to eliminate all tariffs on US goods to avoid President Trump’s tariffs.
In a dramatic bid to sidestep the economic fallout of President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade policies, Vietnam has made an unprecedented offer to eliminate all tariffs on U.S. goods, a move announced on April 7, 2025, that has stunned global markets and policymakers alike. The proposal, relayed through diplomatic channels and confirmed by Vietnam’s Ministry of Trade, comes as Trump’s second term unleashes a barrage of tariffs—20% on Canada and Mexico, with threats of broader levies looming—aimed at forcing concessions from trading partners. Vietnam’s preemptive strike, wiping out duties on everything from American soybeans to iPhones, seeks to shield its export-driven economy from Trump’s wrath, signaling a high-stakes pivot in U.S.-Vietnam relations.
Trump’s tariff blitz, dubbed “Liberation Day” by his administration, has sent shockwaves since January. Aimed at correcting perceived trade imbalances, it’s already spiked costs—U.S. gas at $4.20 a gallon, groceries up 7%—and drawn retaliation from allies like Mexico. Vietnam, a rising manufacturing hub exporting $115 billion to the U.S. in 2024 (think Nike shoes and Samsung phones), fears being next. Trump’s campaign rhetoric singled out Vietnam for its $100 billion trade surplus with the U.S., calling it “another China” exploiting American workers. With Vice President J.D. Vance echoing the hard line, Hanoi’s leaders saw the writing on the wall: act fast or face a tariff hammer that could cripple its growth.
The offer’s scope is staggering. Vietnam currently imposes tariffs averaging 7% on U.S. goods—higher on agriculture (up to 50% on some items)—bringing in $2 billion annually. Scrapping them entirely would flood its market with American products, from Texas beef to California tech, a concession few nations have dared. “We seek mutual benefit, not confrontation,” Trade Minister Nguyen Hong Dien said in a statement, framing it as a peace offering to Trump’s deal-making instincts. On X, reactions exploded: “Vietnam’s folding—Trump wins again!” one user crowed, while another mused, “Smart move—beat him at his own game.” The Vietnamese dong dipped 2% as markets digested the news, but stocks in Hanoi soared 4%, betting on a U.S. thaw.
The stakes for Vietnam are existential. Exports account for 90% of its GDP, with the U.S. as its top market. Trump’s tariffs could slash that by 20%, per World Bank estimates, gutting jobs in factories from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi—1.5 million at risk, says the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce. Memories of the 2018 U.S.-China trade war, when Vietnam dodged bullets by snagging relocated supply chains, loom large. “We can’t afford to be collateral damage,” a Hanoi official told Reuters, hinting at sleepless nights over Trump’s unpredictability. Offering zero tariffs is a gamble—sacrificing revenue and local producers for a lifeline to America’s $20 trillion market.
Trump hasn’t responded directly, but signals suggest he’s intrigued. At a Florida rally hours after the news, he grinned, “Vietnam’s begging to deal—maybe they’re smarter than Europe!” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called it “a step in the right direction,” though she dodged committing. The administration’s calculus is clear: Vietnam’s concession could be a trophy, proof tariffs bend nations to Trump’s will. Yet, it’s not a slam dunk—hardliners like Vance might push for more, like stricter labor rules or currency pledges, to “level the playing field.” On X, MAGA fans cheered: “Trump’s breaking them one by one,” while skeptics warned, “He’ll demand their soul next.”
For the U.S., the deal’s a mixed bag. American exporters—farmers, tech firms—stand to gain big, with the U.S. Trade Representative estimating a $10 billion boost in sales. Iowa pork producers, hammered by Mexico’s retaliation, salivated at tariff-free access to Vietnam’s 100 million consumers. But it’s a double-edged sword: cheaper Vietnamese goods could still flood the U.S., irking Rust Belt workers Trump swore to protect. “Great for Big Ag, bad for factories,” one X user griped, a tension the White House hasn’t addressed. The dollar ticked up 1%, reflecting cautious optimism.
Globally, Vietnam’s move shifts the chessboard. If Trump accepts, it could pressure Canada and Mexico—reeling from their own tariff hits—to sweeten offers, cementing his narrative of dominance. Europe, defiant over its own tariff spat, watches warily; Germany’s gold pullout talks hint at a broader realignment. “Vietnam’s showing how to play Trump—fold early, win later,” a Singapore analyst tweeted. Critics, though, see desperation: “They’re begging, not bargaining,” one X post jabbed.
As talks loom, Vietnam’s offer hangs in the balance—a bold bid to dodge Trump’s economic guillotine. Will he take the win, or push for blood? The world’s watching, X is buzzing, and Hanoi’s holding its breath. For now, zero tariffs are a lifeline tossed into a trade war storm—proof that even small players can rewrite the rules when the stakes are survival.
