Chinese Business in Vietnam Struggles With Trump Tariffs Uncertainty

Zhang Chundong manager at of Chinese e-fork lift company in Vietnam says uncertainty over U.S. tariffs has severely impacted demand. AFP

A year ago Zhang Chundong helped the firm he manages expand into Vietnam, part of a wave of Chinese businesses to choose the booming manufacturing hub since the trade war of U.S. President Donald Trump’s first term.

Now the company, a distributor of forklifts made by China’s BYD, is struggling to achieve the fast growth it expected as factory projects stall, and Vietnam waits to see if an enormous 46 percent tariff threatened by Trump this month will materialize.

  • Get a daily email packed with the latest China-Africa news and analysis.
  • Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China-Africa relations.
  • Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in Africa and throughout the Global South.

China, Africa and the Global South... find out what’s happening.

Subscribe today for unlimited access.

OR

Already a subscriber? Log in Click Here to Learn More
by Agence France-Presse

Most Read

1
Developing Countries’ Debt Servicing Costs to China Are Significant, but Nowhere Near as Much as Other Creditors
2
China, U.S. Ink Rare Earth Deal; More Trade Pacts Coming
3 Chinese Military Fans Discuss Why Indonesia Bought Rafale Instead of J-10C
4
Chinese-Moroccan Joint Venture Inaugurates EV Battery Parts Plant
5
Six Million Donkeys Slaughtered for Chinese Medicine: Charity
6
Rubio to Welcome Asian ‘Quad’ Back to Washington

You Might Like

Southeast Asia’s Trade at Risk: How Trump’s Tariffs and Chinese Imports Threaten Regional Economies

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s proposal to introduce sweeping tariffs poses significant economic challenges for economies in Southeast Asia. The region could become a battleground for redirected Chinese exports, flooding local markets and disrupting ...

U.S., Chinese Ships at Cambodia Bases as Washington Navigates Diplomatic Currents

By Suy Se When a U.S. warship docked in Cambodia this week, it moored just a few kilometers from a base where China has built an extended new pier and two of Beijing’s ...

U.S. Tariff War Could Deepen Indonesia’s Ties with China—But Jakarta Holds the Keys

When the United States slaps a 32% tariff on a wide range of Indonesian exports, it frames the move as a way to protect American industry. But halfway around the world, the decision opens ...

Xi Calls on China, Vietnam to ‘Oppose Unilateral Bullying’ on Regional Tour

By Alice Philipson with Mary Yang in Beijing Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Monday called on his country and Vietnam to “oppose unilateral bullying,” Beijing’s state media reported, during a regional tour as ...

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.

More about CGSP