Vietnam to buy more US goods

HANOI, April 8 (AFP): Vietnam will buy more US goods including security and defence products, the government said, as it seeks a last-minute delay to enormous tariffs imposed by Washington.

The Southeast Asian manufacturing powerhouse counted the United States as its biggest export market in the first three months of the year, but its key customer has now hit it with colossal 46 percent duties.

Hanoi has asked US President Donald Trump to delay their implementation by at least 45 days to give time for talks.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said Vietnam would "approach and negotiate with the US side to reach a bilateral agreement, moving towards a sustainable trade balance", according to a statement published on the government's news portal late Monday.

It would also "continue to buy more US products that are strong and Vietnam has demand for, including products related to security and defence; promote early delivery of aircraft trade contracts", the statement added.

The tariffs are part of a global trade blitz announced last week by Trump that has sent markets around the world into a tailspin.

Regarding Vietnam, it appears that his administration was particularly angered by what it sees as the country's role in attempts to get around tariffs imposed on China.