Vietnam, Malaysia Leaders Criticize US Tariffs' Global Impact

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh warned that President Donald Trump's recently announced tariffs, including a 46% levy on Vietnamese imports, are threatening global supply chains and pose a significant challenge to Vietnam's export-dependent economy. Chinh noted that talks are ongoing with U.S. officials in hopes of mitigating the impact, as the U.S. is a critical market for Vietnamese goods. Meanwhile, former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad argued that U.S. tariffs are intended to weaken China but are unlikely to succeed, citing China's vast market and technological resilience. Mahathir also criticized the tariffs as counterproductive, asserting they will ultimately hurt the U.S. more by raising domestic costs and undermining global competitiveness. Both leaders highlighted broader concerns about the destabilizing effects of U.S. tariffs on the global economy and trade relations.