Xi Jinping and EU Leaders to Visit Vietnam Amid Rising US Tariff Pressures

Chinese President Xi Jinping and top European Union leaders are scheduled to visit Vietnam in the coming weeks as trade tensions with the United States escalate. All three—China, the EU, and Vietnam—maintain significant trade surpluses with the U.S. and are bracing for further tariffs from the Biden administration, with a new announcement expected on Wednesday.

Xi is set to arrive in Hanoi on April 14, marking his second visit to Vietnam in less than 18 months. The trip is part of a broader Southeast Asia tour that includes Cambodia and Malaysia, according to diplomatic sources. While China’s foreign ministry declined to confirm the visit, Vietnamese officials noted that discussions will likely include the development of cross-border rail links to strengthen trade and logistics ties.

Vietnam may also approve the use of China’s COMAC aircraft during Xi’s visit, potentially opening the door for Vietnamese airlines to lease or purchase Chinese-made commercial jets. This move aligns with Hanoi’s broader strategy to diversify partnerships amid shifting global trade dynamics.

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is expected to meet Vietnamese leaders on April 9, followed by a visit from EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic. French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also plan to visit Hanoi in the coming weeks.

Von der Leyen emphasized the EU’s intent to deepen economic ties with Southeast Asia amid a “rising tide of tariffs and export controls,” stating that the EU seeks “new opportunities to trade and invest with trusted partners.”

This flurry of diplomatic activity signals Vietnam’s growing importance in global trade and geopolitics as major powers recalibrate strategies in response to U.S. protectionist policies.