JAKARTA – Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on Vietnam to cooperate in protecting global supply chains amid the United States' unilateral move to raise import tariffs on its trading partners. The appeal was made during Xi’s visit to Hanoi, Vietnam, on Monday (14/4).

Citing The Straits Times, Xi urged Vietnam to uphold the multilateral trade system and ensure the continuity of global supply networks. His remarks come as Vietnam negotiates with the US over a proposed 46% tariff.

“There are no winners in trade and tariff wars. Protectionism leads nowhere,” said Xi.

He stressed the need to defend the multilateral trading system, maintain the stability of global supply chains, and safeguard the international environment through open cooperation.

In the first quarter of 2025, Vietnam's imports from China reached USD 30 billion, while exports to the US stood at USD 31.4 billion.

Following his stop in Vietnam, Xi Jinping is scheduled to continue his Southeast Asia tour with visits to Malaysia and Cambodia from April 15 to 18. Xi’s regional outreach comes in response to the US decision last week to accept negotiation requests from 75 of its trading partners. (LK/ZH)