US President Donald Trump's return to tariff diplomacy is on full display in Southeast Asia as he boasts of trade deals with first Vietnam, then Indonesia.

Free trade agreements provide a sense of continuity in a volatile trade environment by establishing clear rules and standards that help to anchor economic ties.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on Sunday he was confident the United States can secure a trade deal with the European Union, but August 1 is a hard deadline for tariffs to kick in.

The United States' latest imposition of tariff on tomato imports from Mexico hurts the interests of both Mexican farmers and America's own consumers, Octavio Jurado, head of the Mexican Association of State Agricultural Ministers, said on Friday.

The Trade Office of the Vietnamese Embassy in Singapore, in collaboration with the Singapore Fruits and Vegetables Importers and Exporters Association (SFVIEA), organised the Việt Nam Fruit and Vegetable Festival 2025 on Friday.

Vietnam’s plan to open its market to US goods with a 0% import tariff not only creates opportunities for consumers to access high-quality products at better prices, but also serves as a major test for the competitiveness and adaptability of domestic enterprises under pressure from foreign imports.

The draft decree expands the scope of regulation and introduces updated concepts and criteria.

Passion fruit, banana, pineapple, and coconut are expected to become the country’s next strategic export items as they not only have substantial production capacity but also align with global consumption trends and increasingly strict import requirements.

From controlling planting areas and product quality to organising domestic and international consumption, the cooperative model is becoming an important “link” that helps Viet Nam’s agricultural products establish sustainable value chains.

The action plan assigns specific tasks to designated agencies, with a focus on increasing exports, narrowing the trade deficit and supporting enterprises in overcoming trade barriers.