As Vietnam’s US trade surplus overtakes China, Trump replaces envoy to fix ‘imbalance’
Jennifer Wicks McNamara is set to replace Marc Knapper as US ambassador to Vietnam as Hanoi’s trade surplus with US surpasses Beijing for first time
The Southeast Asian nation reported record exports to the United States last year despite 20 per cent US tariffs since August, generating a surplus of nearly US$134 billion, according to Vietnamese government data, which is more conservative than US figures.
“The current trade relationship is imbalanced,” Wicks told US lawmakers in December, noting that if confirmed she would promote equitable access for US goods and services to Vietnam and encourage Vietnamese investment in the United States.
The US Supreme Court may rule on the legality of the White House’s tariffs as soon as this week, but analysts said Vietnam is likely to face US pressure regardless of the ruling.