U.S. President Donald Trump met Vietnamese leader To Lam at the White House on Friday, signalling a potential shift in Washington’s approach to technology restrictions on Hanoi. According to a Vietnamese government summary of the talks, Trump said he would work towards removing Vietnam from lists that limit access to advanced U.S. technologies.
The meeting marked the first formal in-person engagement between the two leaders and comes at a time when Washington is recalibrating its partnerships in Asia.
The talks followed the announcement of commercial agreements worth more than $30 billion, including major aircraft purchases by Vietnamese airlines from U.S. manufacturer Boeing.
The deals underline growing economic cooperation between the two countries, with Vietnam increasingly seen as a key partner in global supply chains amid shifting trade dynamics.
Strategic Engagement Amid Trade Policy Changes
Trump’s outreach to Vietnam coincides with broader changes in U.S. trade policy. On Friday, he announced a new 10% tariff on most imports after the Supreme Court struck down parts of his earlier tariff measures.
The dual track of easing technology access for partners like Vietnam while tightening trade controls globally reflects a more selective U.S. economic strategy.
Balancing Trade, Technology and Regional Influence
The meeting highlights Washington’s intent to deepen ties with Southeast Asian partners while competing for influence in the region. For Vietnam, expanded access to U.S. technology could accelerate its ambitions to move up the manufacturing and innovation value chain.
The engagement also signals a broader effort by both sides to strengthen economic and strategic cooperation in an increasingly complex global landscape.
(with inputs from Reuters)
