US President Donald Trump’s April 2025 reciprocal tariffs aim to boost US manufacturing but will likely provoke considerable risks for the United States and the global economy. The tariffs will disrupt global supply chains, provoke retaliation and weaken US competitiveness. Enforcement is complex and contradicts goals like reducing bureaucracy and immigration while financial instability, asset losses and political backlash from retirees will undermine domestic support. Global trade may also shift away from the United States, diminishing its leadership. With tightening credit and delayed economic benefits, the policy’s internal contradictions and timing mismatch threaten its sustainability before any intended gains can materialise.

An Asia-Vietnam business dialogue in Italian city of Genoa featured expert insights into regional trade dynamics, real-world business case studies, and analysis of Vietnam’s fast-evolving key sectors — from manufacturing to technological innovation — amid shifting global trends.

In the midst of the United States’ tariff “storm”, Vietnamese steel has been excluded because it has been already subjected to a 25% tariff since 2018. Nevertheless, over-optimism is ill-advised, as other countries facing barriers to the US market may redirect their low-priced steel to Asia and Vietnam, creating significant pressure on domestic steel.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the US move to impose retaliatory import tariffs on several countries, including Malaysia, could strain Malaysia’s trade and investment relations with China.

Economists and trade experts call for a national-level trade risk management system to help the government and enterprises cope with economic turbulence.

In recent years, the number of Vietnamese enterprises engaging in online exports has climbed sharply, mirroring the country’s fast-paced digital transformation.

During his visit from April 7-10, the Ambassador held meetings with the Government of Sao Paulo State, the Federation of Industries of the State of Sao Paulo (FIESP), and Friboi -a subsidiary of the JBS Group- to explore opportunities to further strengthen bilateral trade and investment, with a focus on Sao Paulo.

In the first quarter of 2025, bilateral trade between Vietnam and China reached 51.2 billion USD, up 17.5% year-on-year, with expectations for continued growth throughout the year.

Vietnam’s forestry industry is setting its sights on reaching an ambitious export target of USD 18 billion in 2025.

Vietnam has affirmed its position as the world's leading exporter of raw coffee beans. However, to improve its position, increase revenue and diversify markets, the Vietnamese coffee industry needs to develop a broader range of new products. Positive signs have emerged in the field of finished coffee and instant coffee.