Xi Warns Tariff Wars Have No Winners During Vietnam Visit/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Chinese President Xi Jinping began a key Southeast Asia tour by warning against trade and tariff wars, positioning China as a global stabilizer amid U.S. tensions. In Vietnam, he emphasized deepened cooperation and signed infrastructure deals, contrasting sharply with President Trump’s aggressive trade tactics. Xi’s regional diplomacy aims to strengthen ties and counterbalance American influence.
Xi’s Southeast Asia Tour: Quick Looks
- Main Message: Xi says “no one wins” in trade wars
- U.S. Tensions: Trump maintains steep tariffs on Chinese goods
- Vietnam Visit: Welcomed with high honors, meets top leaders
- Rail Deal Signed: $8 billion railway project gets fast-tracked
- Strategic Timing: Visit coincides with escalating U.S.-China trade tensions
- Regional Impact: Southeast Asian nations fear economic fallout
- Vietnam’s Role: Balancing ties with both the U.S. and China
- Next Stops: Xi heads to Malaysia and Cambodia after Vietnam
Xi Warns Tariff Wars Have No Winners During Vietnam Visit
Deep Look
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a pointed message during his diplomatic visit to Vietnam on Monday, warning that “there are no winners in a trade war,” a direct response to ongoing economic tensions with the United States. His remarks, published in Vietnamese and Chinese state media, come just as President Donald Trump continues to enforce aggressive tariff policies, including a 145% duty on Chinese goods.
Xi’s remarks set the tone for a regional tour designed to position China as a force of global economic stability, especially in Southeast Asia, where U.S. tariffs are causing unease.
“Our two countries should resolutely safeguard the multilateral trading system, stable global industrial and supply chains, and open and cooperative international environment,” Xi wrote in an editorial, emphasizing cooperation over conflict.
Vietnam Gives Xi a Warm Welcome
Xi’s arrival in Hanoi was met with rare honors, including a personal greeting by Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and cultural performances. This ceremonial reception signals Vietnam’s strategic importance to China, especially as both countries navigate complex ties with the U.S.
Xi’s meeting with Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary To Lam underscored their shared political ideology and economic interdependence.
“In the face of global turmoil and disruption, our deepening friendship brings valuable stability,” Xi told Lam, framing the visit as a symbol of enduring peace and cooperation.
Xi also met with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and the two sides signed multiple cooperation agreements, including a fast-track on an $8 billion railway project connecting Vietnam to China, a deal approved earlier this year.
China Seeks Regional Solidarity Amid U.S. Tariffs
Xi’s trip comes amid rising economic tension with the United States. Although Trump temporarily paused some tariffs for 90 days, his administration continues to enforce steep duties and promote policies aimed at decoupling U.S. supply chains from China.
According to Nguyen Khac Giang, a fellow at Singapore’s ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute, Xi’s visit is part of a broader strategy to demonstrate that China offers a more stable, responsible leadership alternative in contrast to Washington’s volatile trade approach.
“This visit is about insulating China from Trump’s trade war,” said Giang, noting that Xi has only visited Vietnam twice since taking office in 2013.
Vietnam’s Delicate Balancing Act
Vietnam is uniquely positioned as a strategic partner to both China and the U.S. Despite being a communist one-party state, Vietnam has deepened ties with the United States—hosting both President Biden and Xi Jinping in 2023 and upgrading diplomatic ties with Washington to its highest level.
Vietnam has also benefited from companies relocating supply chains away from China, becoming a preferred manufacturing hub. In 2024, China-Vietnam trade jumped by 14.6%, highlighting the economic interdependence that both sides aim to preserve.
However, Vietnam faces scrutiny from the U.S., which has accused it of being a “backdoor” for Chinese exports seeking to bypass tariffs. Before Trump’s temporary pause, Vietnamese exports were hit with 46% tariffs under his executive order, placing the country in a precarious position.
Underlying Tensions: South China Sea
Despite diplomatic gestures, real territorial tensions remain between China and Vietnam, especially in the South China Sea, where both nations claim overlapping areas. Clashes between Vietnam’s coast guard and Chinese vessels have occurred but are rarely publicized due to their sensitive nature.
Still, the current focus for both nations appears to be economic diplomacy, with Xi’s visit serving as both reassurance and a reminder of China’s regional influence.
What’s Next in Xi’s Tour
After wrapping up his two-day trip to Vietnam, Xi will head to Malaysia and Cambodia, further signaling China’s strategic interest in Southeast Asia amid intensifying global competition with the U.S.
The timing, tone, and economic deals of this tour reinforce Xi’s message: that China, not the United States, offers stability, partnership, and prosperity in an increasingly uncertain world.
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