Amid escalating global trade tensions, the U.S. government sent a stronger signal to Vietnam. In a recent television interview, White House senior advisor Navarro stated explicitly that even if Vietnam pledges to drop all tariffs on U.S. goods, it would not alleviate U.S. concerns, as the core issue lies in "non-tariff deceits," including dumping, export subsidies, VAT, and technical barriers.
Reports indicate that Vietnam has made significant concessions. On April 5, the leader of the Vietnamese Communist Party wrote to President Trump, expressing willingness to remove all tariffs on U.S. goods and requesting a 45-day delay of the 46% high tariff set to take effect on April 9. Trump also posted on social media about his communication with Vietnam, noting their willingness to eliminate tariffs.
However, the U.S. seems unmoved. On FNC's "Sunday Morning Futures," Navarro bluntly stated that it is far from enough. He noted that even if U.S.-Vietnam tariffs were reduced to zero, the annual trade deficit could still reach $120 billion, driven by systematic non-tariff deceitful practices.
Navarro emphasized that Vietnam is "a model of non-tariff deceit," using tactics such as:
- Providing massive subsidies to exporters, disrupting fair competition;
- Utilizing a 10% VAT mechanism to increase costs for U.S. products;
- Restricting U.S. imports through artificially set "false standards";
- Manipulating technical specifications, agricultural quarantine standards, creating implicit barriers.
He also cited the example of domestic shrimp farmers, saying Vietnam's dumping of seafood has devastated Louisiana's coastal industries, asserting that the U.S. must protect its workers from "the harm of dumping."
"This is not a negotiation, it is a national emergency," Navarro repeatedly emphasized during the interview, stating that U.S. tolerance for the current trade imbalance has reached its limit. He asserted that the U.S. will not forgo action merely because a country promises to lower tariffs, but demands an end to all non-tariff practices.
He also issued a warning to other trade partners: Europe should eliminate its 19% VAT and stop using false standards to impede U.S. agricultural exports; countries across the globe should cease currency manipulation, end industry subsidies, and engage in global trade in a fair and transparent manner.
In the current situation, U.S. statements suggest its trade policy will increasingly focus on non-tariff areas, potentially implementing more targeted measures not only towards Vietnam but also other economies in the future.
