We Talk: Vietnamese believe U.S. tariffs will greatly hurt the people of both countries

U.S. President Donald Trump set a 10 percent baseline tariff across the board, with 60 countries hit with even higher rates on Wednesday. The tariffs took effect at U.S. seaports, airports and customs warehouses at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time (0401 GMT) on Saturday.

Vietnam, an export-oriented manufacturing hub, counts the U.S. as its largest export market, with $142 billion worth of exports in 2024 – nearly 30 percent of its GDP. CGTN Stringer spoke with locals in Hanoi to gauge their reactions on the tariff policy. Vietnamese teacher Long said, "The U.S. has imposed tariffs on many countries. Prices of American goods will inevitably rise, and the American people will have to bear the cost." Student Duc Anh added that it will have a huge impact on the Vietnamese people and harm bilateral exchanges and cooperation between Vietnam and the U.S.