• Vietnam begins trade talks with the US ahead of potential 46% tariffs.
• Negotiations aim to resolve US concerns about trade practices, including tariff evasion.
• Vietnam seeks to expand its free trade agreements globally while addressing domestic economic impacts.

Vietnam has officially initiated trade discussions with the United States in response to the looming threat of a 46% tariff on its exports, a significant concern for the Southeast Asian economy heavily reliant on trade. The dialogue commenced via a phone call between Vietnamese Trade Minister Nguyen Hong Dien and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, as Vietnam aims to find a mutually beneficial solution before the tariffs take effect in July, according to Reuters, Channel News Asia, and Bangkok Post.

The negotiations are set against a backdrop where the US has accused Vietnam of enabling Chinese goods to circumvent tariffs, thereby raising protectionist concerns. Vietnam's economic strategy, which aims to balance its trade deficits and deepen economic ties with the US, has gained urgency, especially as the country recorded a substantial trade surplus with the US worth $123.5 billion last year. This underscores Vietnam's dependence on the US as its primary export market, as highlighted by Reuters, Channel News Asia, and The Jakarta Post.

The Vietnamese government has stressed its readiness to tackle issues cited by the US, including the stringent control over the origin of goods, which is critical to combat allegations of fraud related to Chinese imports. The Trump administration's tariffs are among the most severe applied to any trading partner, reinforcing Hanoi’s commitment to equitable trade practices, as reported by Al Jazeera and Bangkok Post.

In light of these economic challenges, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has instructed various ministries to enhance their trade frameworks and tap into more free trade agreements globally, stating that Vietnam is committed to reaching a “comprehensive strategic partnership” with the US, as articulated by both Channel News Asia and Al Jazeera.