White House Tariffs hurt Vietnam’s Mekong Delta

Hanoi's diplomatic efforts reflect resilience and strategy to curb impacts

Dear Readers,

Thank you again for continuing to read and subscribe to our free e-newsletter. Last month I was reporting from the Mekong Delta. The Trump administration's tariffs are significantly impacting exports from Vietnam's Mekong Delta, particularly in sectors like agriculture, electronics, and textiles. A little less than two weeks ago, the U.S. imposed a 46% tariff on Vietnamese goods, leading to operational disruptions among manufacturers in the region. Some companies have reduced production shifts or halted operations due to cancelled or delayed orders, while others have temporarily increased output to offset potential losses.

The Mekong Delta, known for its agricultural exports such as rice, seafood, and fruits, faces challenges as U.S. tariffs make these products less competitive in the American market. However, the Vietnamese, who are nothing less than resilient and strategic are mounting a diplomatic offensive.

Here’s the link for an article I wrote for Responsible Statecraft on this issue. It’s entitled, “Vietnam’s fortunes actually take a dramatic turn, and not for the worse.”