Xi Jinping Urges Vietnam to Resist “unilateral Bullying” amidst US-China Trade Tensions
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Southeast Asia tour, including stops in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia, comes at a critical juncture in global trade relations.
HANOI, Vietnam – During a visit to Vietnam on Monday, April 14th, China’s President Xi Jinping called for joint efforts to oppose “unilateral bullying” and maintain a stable global system of free trade. While he didn’t directly name the United States, the implication was clear amid ongoing trade tensions between the two economic powerhouses.
xi’s visit to Vietnam is the first stop in a planned “charm offensive” across Southeast Asia, with subsequent visits scheduled for Malaysia and Cambodia.This tour has gained increased importance in light of the escalating trade disputes between the U.S.and China. Notably, Vietnam had been facing potential tariffs of up to 46% from the U.S. before the Trump administration announced a 90-day pause on these measures last week.
Former President Trump dismissed Xi’s diplomatic efforts as a calculated move to undermine the U.S., fueling the narrative of a global power struggle. He commented on the meeting between xi and Vietnamese leaders, suggesting it was a ploy to screw the United States of America.
China’s Stance: A Defender of Free Trade?
According to Chinese state media outlet Xinhua, Xi Jinping emphasized the need to “jointly oppose unilateral bullying” during his meeting with Vietnam’s Communist Party Secretary-General To Lam.
We must strengthen strategic resolve… and uphold the stability of the global free trade system as well as industrial and supply chains.
Xi Jinping, President of China
This position is viewed by some experts as a strategic maneuver to portray China as a champion of free trade amidst what they see as U.S. protectionism. Stephen Olson, a former U.S. trade negotiator, described Xi’s comments as a very shrewd tactical move.
He added, While Trump seems determined to blow up the trade system, Xi is positioning China as the defender of rules-based trade, while painting the US as a reckless rogue nation.
The U.S. has imposed tariffs of 145% on most Chinese imports this month,with China retaliating with 125% tariffs on U.S. goods. However, a recently issued U.S. customs notice initially indicated that smartphones, computers, and certain other electronic devices would be exempt from the tariffs. Trump quickly took to social media to deny the existence of any such exemptions, indicating that these products would instead be moved to a different tariff ‘bucket’.
This created confusion and uncertainty for American businesses relying on imports from China.
This ongoing back-and-forth highlights the complexities and potential pitfalls of the trade war, with critically important implications for American consumers and businesses alike. For example, the increased cost of imported electronics could lead to higher prices for consumers and decreased competitiveness for businesses that rely on these components.
Vietnam’s Balancing Act
Xi’s arrival in Hanoi was marked by a welcoming ceremony, with attendees waving both Chinese and vietnamese flags. he subsequently engaged in meetings with key Vietnamese officials, including the country’s Secretary-General and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Despite the warm reception, analysts emphasize that Vietnam is likely to navigate its relationship with China cautiously, recognizing the importance of its partnership with the U.S.
Vietnam will be careful to manage the perception that it is colluding with China against the United States, as the US is too important a partner to put aside.
Susannah Patton, director of the southeast Asia Program at the Lowy Institute
Patton further noted that In many ways, China is an economic competitor as well as an economic partner for South East Asian economies.
This highlights the delicate balancing act that Vietnam and other Southeast Asian nations must perform, navigating the competing interests of the world’s two largest economies.
for example, the U.S. is a major export market for Vietnamese goods, and maintaining access to this market is crucial for Vietnam’s economic growth. At the same time,China is a major source of investment and a key trading partner for Vietnam,making it essential to maintain a stable and productive relationship. This dynamic creates both opportunities and challenges for Vietnam as it seeks to chart its own course in the global economy.
Malaysia and Beyond: Expanding China’s Influence?
Following his visit to Vietnam, Xi Jinping traveled to Malaysia, where he met with the country’s King and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. These meetings are seen as an prospect for China to deepen its economic and political ties with Malaysia, further expanding its influence in the region.
Notably, Malaysian mobile data service company U Mobile recently announced it would roll out the country’s second 5G network using infrastructure technology from Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE. This decision reflects a growing trend in Southeast Asia,where Chinese technology companies are playing an increasingly prominent role in the region’s infrastructure development.
Susannah Patton anticipates that Xi will continue to paint the U.S. as a partner which is unreliable [and] protectionist,
while portraying China as a partner that is there.
This narrative, she believes, presents a golden opportunity for china to score that narrative win.
The success of this strategy remains to be seen. Though,it’s clear that China is actively working to shape the narrative and strengthen its position in Southeast Asia,a region of growing strategic importance. For the U.S., this underscores the need to reaffirm its commitment to the region and address concerns about its reliability as a partner.
The implications of Xi’s tour for the U.S. are multifaceted.It highlights the ongoing competition between the U.S. and China for influence in Southeast Asia,a region of growing economic and strategic importance.It also underscores the need for the U.S.to address concerns about its reliability as a trading partner and its commitment to free trade. By engaging actively in the region and promoting a level playing field, the U.S. can ensure that it remains a key partner for Southeast Asian nations and that its interests are protected.
| country | Key Meeting | potential Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | To Lam,Communist Party Secretary-General | Strengthened economic ties,but cautious balancing act re: US relations. |
| Malaysia | King and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim | Increased Chinese investment, potential shift in technological infrastructure (e.g., 5G). |
| Cambodia | (Details forthcoming) | Further expansion of Belt and Road Initiative projects, strengthened political alignment. |
