Chinese President Xi Jinping has just kicked off a high-stakes diplomatic tour. He is aggressively pressing Vietnam to work with China to support multilateral trade policies. His visit is an effort to position China as a credible, dependable partner. This is in reaction to the instability of U.S. trade policies, marked notably by President Donald Trump’s recent tariff-halts.
Xi’s visit to Vietnam is part of a broader initiative to diversify China’s economic influence globally. The timing of their introduction is quite savvy. It comes only days after President Trump announced his own 90 day truce on such “reciprocal” tariffs that affect dozens of countries. This ongoing pause creates a challenging environment for global trade. More than anything, it provides China an opportunity to strengthen its bilateral ties with key Southeast Asian heavyweights.
Through this visit, Xi underlined the desire for close cooperation between Vietnam and China. He stated, “Our two countries need to firmly defend the multilateral trading system, stable global industrial and supply chains, and an open and cooperative international environment.” He is seeking to position China with the world’s insecure and unsatisfied states. This appeal further highlights his recognition to the changing landscape of U.S. trade politics.
Xi’s approach is two-pronged. Economically, he seeks to expand China’s footprint while reassuring Vietnam that it can rely on China as a partner in these turbulent times. He continued, “All these are ways for China to demonstrate that I’m on your side. It’s cool to chill with China, especially if you’re anti-American. This feeling seems especially heartrending today as many countries are still reeling from the effects of the present-day tariff wars.
The end result is expected to be the signing of around 40 agreements in areas such as energy, technology, and agriculture. These memorandum of understandings will advance collaboration on rail networks and boost agriculture exports. They will help propel leaps in the digital and green economy. These efforts are trying to re-establish economic connections. They support win-win development in a state where positive trading partner relationships are ever more critical.
Xi addressed concerns regarding geopolitical tensions, urging both nations to “properly manage differences and safeguard peace and stability in our region.” This appeal for stability highlights the current maritime tensions that have long plagued Vietnam-China relations.
In one of the more jocular moments, one anonymous source quipped that Xi’s method takes the cookie down a notch. As one honcho expressed, “Xi is now indeed planning a personal visit. Instead of fear and pressure Xi wants to bring the love and a few ‘souvenirs’ —products of his trade. The term ‘souvenirs’ cleverly refers to potential new trade deals and upgrades to existing partnerships that Xi hopes to present during his visit.
Xi is on a regional diplomatic tour that includes stops in Malaysia and Cambodia, ending on Friday. His goal is to position China as the clear, trusted partner amidst global turmoils. He repeated the well-known fact that nobody wins a trade war and told listeners that protectionism will get us all nowhere.
Xi’s diplomatic blitz comes at a crucial crossroads for international relations. These unprecedented times provide an opportunity for collaboration unlike ever before—even in the face of a volatile climate. This visit serves to lay out China’s aims in stark relief. More than anything else, it serves to highlight the precarious balance at play in the regional dynamics of trade.
