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Vietnam’s trade talks with US could be a pathfinder for South-east Asia

A key beneficiary of China-plus-one, Vietnam’s strategy illustrates the challenges of navigating between the US and China in this second trade war.

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Vietnam’s strategy illustrates the challenges of navigating between the US and China in this second trade war.

Vietnam’s strategy illustrates the challenges of navigating between the US and China in this second trade war.

PHOTO: REUTERS

Shay Wester and Meghan Murphy

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It started poorly.

Despite months of proactive outreach, Vietnam was blindsided by the sweeping scope of

the tariff announcement on April 2

. A staggering 46 per cent reciprocal tariff made it the fifth-highest-tariffed country by the US.

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