Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged Vietnam to oppose what he called “unilateral bullying” in order to defend the global free trade system, during his ongoing diplomatic trip across Southeast Asia. Though he didn’t directly name the United States, the comments come as US-China trade tensions escalate.
Xi met with Vietnamese Communist Party leader To Lam, urging a united front in supporting free trade and supply chain stability. He emphasized the need for “strategic resolve” in the face of growing trade restrictions.
This visit coincides with US President Donald Trump’s recent threat to slap up to 46% tariffs on Vietnamese goods — a move currently paused for 90 days. Trump criticized Xi’s Vietnam visit as a strategy to undermine the US, saying:
“That’s a lovely meeting — trying to figure out how to screw the United States of America.”
Earlier this month, the US imposed 145% tariffs on Chinese imports, with China responding with 125% counter-tariffs. Trump later denied media reports of product exemptions and said items like smartphones and laptops were simply moved to another tariff bucket.
Xi’s Southeast Asia tour — which includes Malaysia and Cambodia — is being seen as a charm offensive and a chance to position China as a reliable partner, in contrast to the US.
In Malaysia, Xi is expected to meet with King Abdullah and PM Anwar Ibrahim. A Malaysian company, U Mobile, has announced plans to launch a 5G network using Huawei and ZTE technology, signaling stronger tech ties with China.
Analysts say China is seizing a “golden opportunity” to portray itself as a stable global partner, while painting the US as unreliable and protectionist.