Fact Check: "Trump unilaterally changed tariff rates without Vietnam's agreement."
What We Know
The claim that "Trump unilaterally changed tariff rates without Vietnam's agreement" stems from recent developments in U.S.-Vietnam trade relations. On July 2, 2025, President Trump announced a preliminary trade deal with Vietnam that included a 20% tariff on all imports from Vietnam and a 40% tariff on goods transshipped through Vietnam from other countries, particularly China (source-2, source-3). This announcement followed a period of heightened tensions regarding tariffs, where Trump had previously indicated a 46% tariff rate on Vietnamese goods, which was paused to facilitate negotiations (source-4, source-6).
Vietnam's government has acknowledged the agreement, stating that it aims to create a "fair and balanced reciprocal trade agreement" that would allow for preferential market access for American goods (source-2). However, the specifics of the deal, including the tariff rates, have raised concerns among Vietnamese business groups and U.S. importers, who argue that the tariffs remain high and could negatively impact trade (source-2).
Analysis
The assertion that Trump acted unilaterally is partially supported by the context of the tariff changes. While Trump did announce new tariffs and changes to existing rates, the Vietnamese government was involved in the discussions leading to the trade agreement. The announcement of a 20% tariff on Vietnamese goods was framed as part of a negotiated deal, indicating that there was some level of agreement or at least acknowledgment from Vietnam regarding the new rates (source-2, source-6).
However, the nature of the negotiations and the abrupt changes in tariff rates suggest a unilateral approach by the Trump administration. The president's previous threats of higher tariffs and the imposition of new rates without extensive prior consultation could be interpreted as unilateral actions. Additionally, the Vietnamese response to the tariffs indicates a level of dissatisfaction and concern about the high rates imposed, which could imply that the agreement was not fully favorable or consensual (source-1, source-4).
In evaluating the reliability of sources, major news outlets like The New York Times and Reuters provide comprehensive coverage of the trade deal, while also highlighting the implications and reactions from both the U.S. and Vietnamese perspectives. These sources are generally considered credible, though they may carry inherent biases based on their editorial slants.
Conclusion
The claim that "Trump unilaterally changed tariff rates without Vietnam's agreement" is Partially True. While Trump did announce new tariffs that could be seen as unilateral actions, the context of the announcement suggests that there was some level of negotiation and acknowledgment from Vietnam regarding the changes. The complexities of international trade agreements often involve multiple layers of negotiation, and while Trump’s approach may have been aggressive and unilateral in nature, it did not entirely exclude Vietnam from the conversation.
Sources
- US tariffs: Trump delays higher levies but announces new ... BBC
- Trump Announces Preliminary Trade Pact With Vietnam The New York Times
- Trump says he will put 20% tariff on Vietnam's exports Reuters
- Everything to know about Trump's tariff letters NPR
- Tariffs in the second Trump administration Wikipedia
- Vietnam thought it had a deal on its US tariff rate. Then ... Politico
- Trump's Trade Deals, Negotiations, and New Tariffs for ... Time
- Trump announces Vietnam trade deal, 20% tariff on ... CNBC
