Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Vietnam on Monday as part of a high-profile tour through south-east Asia aimed at strengthening ties with neighbouring countries. The trip comes as the region is caught in an escalating trade war between China and the US, which has imposed tariffs on Chinese imports.
China will use the visit to highlight its stability as a trading partner, contrasting itself with the US, which has imposed punitive tariffs across the region. Vietnam and Cambodia are among the worst-affected countries by US tariffs, set at 46% and 49%, respectively. China will sign dozens of deals with Vietnam on Monday, including possible investment and cooperation arrangements to develop its railway network.
The visit is part of a delicate balancing act between China and the US, both of which are important economic partners for south-east Asia. The region is closely intertwined with China, but countries like Vietnam are seeking to avoid taking sides in the trade war. Vietnam has already made concessions to the US by offering to remove all tariffs on imports and promising to buy more US goods.
The tour is also part of a wider charm offensive pursued by China in the wake of the trade war. Xi will visit Malaysia and Cambodia, where he will meet with key officials and highlight strategic partnerships. The visits aim to position China as the responsible leader of the rules-based trade system while painting the US as a rogue nation intent on disrupting trade relationships.
China’s foreign ministry has described the tour as “major importance”, and officials from Vietnam and other countries in the region are eager to engage with Xi on trade and economic cooperation. The visit will be symbolically important, despite uncertainty over meaningful agreements emerging from the meetings.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/13/xi-jinping-seeks-to-strengthen-economic-ties-during-tour-of-south-east-asia