Washington, D.C. – U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Vietnam is now open to striking a zero-tariff trade agreement, just two days after he announced a massive 46% import duty on Vietnamese goods. The proposed tariffs, set to take effect on April 9, affect key sectors such as apparel, furniture, and toys — industries heavily relied upon by American retailers and manufacturers.
Trump, in a Truth Social post dated April 4, revealed that he had a “very productive call” with To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam. According to Trump, the Southeast Asian nation is willing to eliminate tariffs entirely, provided a comprehensive trade deal can be reached.
The 46% tariff announcement, made on April 2, sent shockwaves through U.S. business circles, particularly those dependent on Vietnam’s cost-effective manufacturing. Analysts have warned that the new duties could lead to price hikes across various consumer goods in the U.S.
While there has been no official confirmation from Hanoi, the Trump administration sees this as a potential diplomatic and economic breakthrough — positioning the move as part of a broader strategy to secure fairer trade terms with key Asian partners.
More details about the negotiations and potential areas of agreement are expected in the coming days as both sides prepare for formal talks.
