• Xi Jinping begins a Southeast Asia tour to strengthen ties and counteract U.S. tariffs.
• He calls for solidarity with Vietnam against U.S. "unilateral bullying" in trade.
• China and Vietnam sign 45 cooperation agreements during Xi's visit.
• U.S. President Trump comments on the meeting, suggesting it aims to undermine U.S. interests.
• Xi emphasizes the importance of maintaining a stable global trading system.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is on a diplomatic journey in Southeast Asia, starting with Vietnam, as tensions mount from U.S. tariffs impacting the region's economies. This tour, which will also see him visit Malaysia and Cambodia, is aimed at fortifying China's relationships with its neighbors amid an escalating trade conflict with the United States, which has imposed tariffs up to 145% on Chinese imports, according to HuffPost.

Xie emphasized the need for Vietnam to "oppose unilateral bullying" during his meetings with Vietnamese leaders, a clear reference to U.S. actions without directly naming the country. He stated, "Isolated small boats cannot withstand stormy waves... Only by working together on the same boat can we sail steady and far," affirming the importance of collaboration in maintaining global free trade, according to BBC.

During his Vietnam visit, Xi met with Communist Party General Secretary To Lam and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, where they reached multiple agreements including those on supply chains and joint maritime patrols. In total, 45 agreements were signed, focusing on enhancing economic cooperation and addressing ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea, as reported by Channel News Asia.

In a direct response to rising tariffs, U.S. President Trump criticized the meeting between Xi and Vietnamese leaders, commenting that it aimed to hurt U.S. interests and stating, "I see they're meeting today, and that's wonderful," as relayed by Channel News Asia.

The backdrop of this diplomatic engagement includes Vietnam's anxiety over U.S. tariffs as it faces duties of up to 46% on its goods. This trip underscores China's strategy to position itself as a reliable partner against what it portrays as the U.S.'s coercive practices, aiming to foster deeper ties with Vietnam, explained by Los Angeles Times.

Throughout the trip, Xi is showcasing China's commitment to contributing positively to the regional economy in contrast to the perceived volatility from U.S. trade policy. This narrative is crucial for China, as it seeks to reassure ASEAN member states of its stability and cooperative intent, as assessed by experts from the International Crisis Group, according to South China Morning Post.