Vietnam-China Trade Tops $31 Billion in Early 2025, Exports Decline as Beijing Tightens Controls

Vietnam aims for $454 billion in export revenue by 2025, setting an ambitious 12% year-on-year growth target despite growing economic pressures.
Dinh Vu Port in Haiphong. Vietnam’s trade with China grew in the first two months of 2025, but not in Vietnam’s favor. Image: Nhac Nguyen / AFP

Vietnam’s trade with China surged in early 2025, but not in Vietnam’s favor. Fresh data shows that while imports from China are rising, Vietnamese exports are struggling to keep up.

In the first two months of 2025, bilateral trade exceeded $31 billion. But China’s tightening grip on imports—especially on key agricultural products like durian—has sharply reduced Vietnam’s shipments.

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by Edwin Shri Bimo

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