President Donald Trump said Friday morning that Vietnam’s top leader, Tô Lâm, had expressed openness to eliminating tariffs entirely in order to avoid the impact of newly imposed U.S. duties on Vietnamese imports. Trump described the exchange as a “very productive” phone call, stating that Tô Lâm indicated Vietnam would be willing to reduce tariffs to zero if a broader trade agreement could be reached. The remarks quickly drew attention from markets and policymakers, signaling a possible shift in U.S.–Vietnam trade relations at a moment of wider economic uncertainty.Trump shared details of the conversation in a social media post, emphasizing both the cooperative tone and the potential substance of the talks. He said he thanked Tô Lâm on behalf of the United States and expressed interest in meeting in the near future to continue discussions. The comments came only days after the administration imposed tariffs of up to 46 percent on Vietnamese goods, a move that unsettled companies with significant manufacturing operations in Vietnam. The suggestion that Vietnam might respond by eliminating its own tariffs introduced a new, though still tentative, dimension to ongoing negotiations.
Financial markets reacted swiftly. Shares of companies with heavy exposure to Vietnamese manufacturing rose, reflecting investor optimism that trade tensions could ease. Nike, which produces a substantial portion of its goods in Vietnam, saw its stock climb more than four percent. The reaction suggested hope that tariffs might ultimately be reduced or avoided, lowering costs and helping stabilize supply chains that have faced repeated disruption.The trade news arrived alongside fresh U.S. economic data pointing to continued strength in the labor market. The U.S. Labor Department reported that employers added 228,000 jobs in March, significantly above expectations. The unemployment rate ticked up slightly to 4.2 percent, while revisions to earlier months lowered previous estimates. Even so, overall hiring momentum remained solid, reinforcing the picture of a resilient economy.
Job growth was spread across multiple sectors. Private employers accounted for the bulk of gains, with healthcare, social assistance, retail, and transportation showing notable increases. Government employment rose modestly despite a second consecutive decline in federal jobs. Manufacturing growth remained subdued, highlighting uneven conditions beneath the headline strength.
Economists cautioned that March’s data reflects conditions before the full impact of the new tariffs is felt. Some warned that trade measures could push inflation higher later in the year, complicating the outlook for the Federal Reserve. Still, the report may give policymakers room to hold interest rates steady while monitoring risks.
