Chinese President Xi Jinping, in a message ahead of his visit to Vietnam, warned that trade wars and tariff disputes bring no winners, highlighting the importance of supporting multilateral trade systems. His remarks come at the start of a five-day tour of Southeast Asia amid ongoing US-China trade tensions.
Writing in Vietnam’s state-run newspaper Nhan Dan, Xi called for countries to work together to promote a more inclusive and open form of global economic growth. He spoke out firmly against protectionism, stating that such policies cannot solve global challenges. Xi’s message aligns with China’s broader effort to portray itself as a stable and open trade partner, especially as the United States continues to pursue more unilateral trade measures.
He reaffirmed China’s commitment to keeping global production and supply chains stable and emphasized the need for international cooperation. Xi also pointed out that China remains a major force behind global economic growth and is consistently working to maintain high levels of openness for shared development.
Xi’s tour includes stops in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia, as Beijing works to strengthen ties in Southeast Asia at a time of uncertainty caused by U.S. trade policies, especially those enacted under former President Donald Trump. The U.S. has imposed a series of tariffs, including a 10% tax on a wide range of imports and up to 25% on steel and aluminum—some of the highest being 145% on select Chinese exports.
Despite these global tensions, China remains the biggest trading partner for ASEAN, including Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia. Vietnam, in particular, is China’s top trading partner in the region, with imports from China rising over 30% to reach $144 billion in 2024, according to Vietnam’s customs data.
Following his Vietnam visit, Xi is scheduled to travel to Malaysia from Tuesday to Thursday and will then conclude his tour in Cambodia. The results of his trip are expected to be closely followed by global business and policy leaders, as China seeks to deepen its regional economic influence.
