When the U.S. Air Force's massive bombing of North Vietnam failed to make Hanoi's government surrender, Americans always had lingering fear of the Vietnam War for many years. However, Trump's announcement of a new tariff rate of 46% has made today's Hanoi immediately retreat. Vietnamese leaders quickly called Trump to express their willingness to use zero tariffs to exchange for tariff reduction from the U.S. side. Trump praised Vietnam for its "good attitude," but that was all. Moreover, Trump's praise for Vietnam was more to encourage other countries around the world to learn from Vietnam's "good attitude."
On Monday, White House trade advisor Navarro's remarks were more like a "serious verdict" on Vietnam. He claimed that Vietnam's implementation of zero tariffs made no sense for the U.S., "For every dollar we sell to Vietnam, Vietnam sells us fifteen dollars, much of which is transshipment trade from China, and they deceive us in various ways."
Navarro is a key designer and most active promoter of Trump's "reciprocal tariff" policy. His attitude towards China is extremely hostile, and he doesn't hold back when targeting Vietnam either. The so-called "good attitude" clearly doesn't work; the Trump team wants Vietnam to bleed. Vietnam has expressed its intention to purchase 250 Boeing aircraft and some military aircraft, $6 billion worth of liquefied natural gas, and over $90 billion worth of many other goods and equipment, while also working to eliminate import barriers for American agricultural products such as corn, soybeans, and beef. But these are still not enough; the Trump administration is insatiable.
Navarro emphasized "bringing jobs back to America," but the jobs in Vietnam are mostly for subcontracting work for Nike and other clothing brands, which are already difficult to maintain in China. Whether anyone would be willing to take them on if transferred to the U.S. is truly questionable. A comedy show host in the U.S. made a program that drew laughter, saying, "We don't want those jobs; we want to wear Nike rather than make Nike."
There are two main reasons why many labor-intensive manufacturers in China have moved their production lines to Vietnam in recent years: initially because Vietnam's labor costs were much cheaper than China's. After 2018, there was an added incentive to produce in Vietnam to avoid Trump's 25% tariff. Due to low tariffs and cheap labor, as well as good relations with both China and the U.S., Vietnam has attracted a large amount of investment in recent years. In 2024, Vietnam's exports to the U.S. increased by 19% compared to 2023, reaching $136.6 billion, making it the sixth-largest source of imports for the U.S.
However, Chinese manufacturers producing in Vietnam use Vietnam's labor force and pay taxes to the Vietnamese government. Although these products have elements of China, they are "Made in Vietnam" and contribute to Vietnam's development. Navarro accused Vietnam of being a "Chinese colony," but Vietnam produces Nike clothing and shoes, as well as Apple iPads, Apple Watches, AirPods, Mac computers, and consumer goods specifically for American e-commerce. Could Vietnam also be considered an "American colony"?
Vietnam is not wealthy; it is still quite lean, with a GDP of only $457 billion, slightly more than Guangxi in China, and a per capita GDP of only $4,670, about 58% of Guangxi's. Vietnam remains a very typical developing country. There is not a single world-renowned enterprise in all of Vietnam, nor any domestic industry or brand with global influence. The best university in Vietnam, Vietnam National University in Hanoi, ranks between 800th and 1000th in the world and after 150th in Asia. Vietnam's prosperity is mainly achieved through subcontracting for major global companies and producing locally essential goods for livelihood.
Even this Vietnam has been targeted by the Trump team. Their aim is to block Chinese manufacturers' exports to the U.S., but what they really want is the cash earned by hardworking Vietnamese people; they want to snatch a big chunk of it. To put it bluntly, they are robbers.
Vietnam is highly dependent on the U.S. market, with exports to the U.S. accounting for 25% of its GDP, leaving it in a weak position of "having to bow one's head under someone else's roof." Its "good attitude" can be understood. The question is, will bowing really ensure survival? Navarro's attitude is the answer. In fact, at this time, Vietnam might as well be more assertive, which could actually expand its negotiation space. The U.S. may not be able to do much to Vietnam. If they impose tariffs on Chinese goods and then on Vietnamese products, what will be sold in American supermarkets? The current situation is that Vietnam, by being "so submissive" and "begging alone," has been taken advantage of by the latter. The Trump team is clearly raising its demands on Vietnam.
Trump stated on Monday that the EU must commit to purchasing $350 billion worth of American energy to offset the U.S.'s trade deficit with Europe, allowing the U.S. to sign a tariff reduction agreement with Europe. The Trump team is not interested in zero tariffs proposed by various countries. Their true purpose is either to forcefully push unwanted American products onto other countries or to force other countries to directly pay cash. Facing a weaker Vietnam with a soft attitude, they won't stop until they extract a hefty profit.
Washington shows no mercy toward countries that are at a loss due to tariff threats; they are most skilled at wielding the big stick of maximum pressure before dangling a carrot to coax compliance. In fact, whether large or small, daring self-defense and resistance serves as a deterrent to bullies. Vietnam has always been weak against the U.S., yet so many planes back then couldn't break Vietnam's will; Americans used to have some respect for Vietnam's spirit. But now they might think that arrogance and intimidation are also good ways to deal with Vietnam.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1828883723564099/
Disclaimer: The article represents the author's personal views.