Vietnam and the EU took the initiative to compromise, but without getting concessions from the US, they were met with the US's increasing demands. This time, the surrender theorists have been truly embarrassed.
Trump announced an increase in tariffs on the entire world, hoping to eliminate the US trade deficit, revitalize American manufacturing, and ultimately solve the US debt crisis. Under US pressure, Vietnam, which is particularly dependent on the US market, was the first to choose to compromise and reached out to the US, promising to implement zero tariffs on the US. Vietnam had no choice but to do so because in 2024, Vietnam's exports to the US amounted to $119.5 billion, while imports from the US were only $15 billion, leaving a huge gap.
The EU also chose to compromise. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, immediately proposed zero tariffs to the US and even called on China not to confront the US. The EU's annual market share in the US is $350 billion, and choosing to compromise was also a helpless move. Trump was very pleased with Vietnam's compromise, emphasizing that Vietnam's concession was good. However, to Vietnam and the EU's disappointment, their compromises did not bring them concessions from the US but instead led to the US's increasing demands.
Navarro did not hide his dissatisfaction and generously pointed out: "Let us take Vietnam as an example. When they came to us saying 'we will achieve zero tariffs,' it made no sense to us because what matters is non-tariff fraud... Zero tariffs will not reduce our $12.3 billion (with Vietnam) trade deficit." For the EU, the US's intention is clear: they want more than just zero tariffs; they want zero deficits. In other words, neither Vietnam nor the EU can make money from the US. Clearly, Vietnam and the EU's experiences have embarrassed the surrender theorists.
Original Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1828912449277952/
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