The bilateral relationship between Singapore and Vietnam is at a high point, with economic cooperation stronger than ever, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said at the start of his visit to Vietnam on March 25.

President Donald Trump’s new reciprocal tariff policy will match US tariffs to those faced by American exporters abroad, examining each trading relationship comprehensively. While Southeast Asian differentials appear small, implementation challenges and rising non-tariff barriers complicate the picture. Countries may reduce barriers to avoid retaliation or risk escalation into full trade wars, with higher transaction costs likely regardless of the outcome.

US President Donald Trump said he plans to limit exceptions to his tariff push, the latest cryptic hint about a planned April 2 announcement of reciprocal duties on global trading partners.

Vietnam’s finance ministry has put forward a proposal to cut preferential import tariffs on a range of products including LNG, cars, wood and agricultural products, as the nation seeks to avoid the imminent threat of US tariffs.

Vietnam will cut its tariffs on several U.S. products including LNG and cars, the head of the Finance Ministry's tax policy department said, as the country tries to avoid being hit with U.S. tariffs because of its large bilateral trade surplus.

At the signing ceremony, Deputy Minister Phan Thi Thang affirmed that the MoU not only represents a milestone in the cooperation between the two sides but also demonstrates the ministry’s commitment to protecting consumer interests in an increasingly interconnected global marketplace.

Strict regulations in key export destinations require businesses to meet international standards, while the country's reliance on raw material exports limits value-added opportunities.

Standard Chartered Bank forecasts GDP growth of 6.7 per cent for 2025. However, the bank predicts that the first half of the year will experience a stronger growth rate of 7.5 per cent.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has emerged as an important anchor for global free trade, injecting momentum into the world economy amid rising protectionism and geopolitical uncertainties, according to sources from the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) conference.

Hessen is readiness to support Vietnam in developing international finance centres and share its experience in financial market management, Minister-President of the German State Boris Rhein has affirmed.