Malaysia, as the Asean chair this year, will prioritise the importance of deepening regional economic ties following the announcement of sweeping US tariffs on the bloc’s member nations as well as leading them in engaging Washington in talks to potentially reduce retaliatory tariffs on imports into America.

China on Thursday urged the US to immediately cancel its latest tariffs and vowed countermeasures to safeguard its own interests, after President Donald Trump declared sweeping levies on US trading partners around the world.

According to the latest data from the General Department of Vietnam Customs under the Ministry of Finance, Vietnam’s import-export value reached US$35.66 billion in the first half of March, taking the total to US$162.78 billion in the period from January to March 15, up 12% from the same time last year.

French President Emmanuel Macron was quick to respond to US President Donald Trump’s punitive tariffs on the European Union (EU) by urging businesses in the world’s largest trading bloc to halt spending on the US.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien has sent a diplomatic note requesting US authorities delay the tariff imposition to allow for constructive dialogue to seek a reasonable solution for both sides.

The tiny southern African kingdom of Lesotho has been hit with a 50% reciprocal trade tariff by US President Donald Trump, the highest levy of any single state on his long list of target economies.

Britain on Wednesday published a 400-page list of US goods it could include in any possible retaliatory tariff response to President Donald Trump's levies on British imports, even as it pressed ahead with talks to reach an economic deal with Washington.

The Ministry of Finance is now working closely with other agencies to evaluate policy options that support businesses. Possible solutions include market diversification, supply chain optimisation, and leveraging opportunities from Vietnam’s existing free trade agreements.

As Canada navigates a new economic landscape following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation, the focus shifts to how the upcoming leadership will address evolving trade dynamics. With a potential pivot towards markets like Vietnam, the implications for Canadian exporters and broader trade relations are gaining traction.

In the wake of the US' fresh announcement of a 46% tariff on Vietnamese exports, Director of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT)’s Department of Foreign Market Development Ta Hoang Linh remains optimistic about the potential for negotiations to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome.