Good Morning, Vietnam: Trump Tariff Tactics Pave Way for Lucrative Projects
Leveraging trade pressure, a new wave of branded developments in Vietnam could significantly boost the Trump family’s wealth.
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Vietnam Under Pressure: Trump Tariffs and the Cost of Concessions
Here in Vietnam, where the country faces one of the most punishing rounds of U.S. tariffs in recent history, the central government appears to have bent dramatically to the Trump administration’s demands—so much so that it reportedly manipulated domestic laws and skirted protections for local citizens to fast-track developments bearing the Trump name.
According to a detailed report by The New York Times, Vietnamese officials expedited approval for a $1.5 billion golf complex outside Hanoi, as well as plans for a Trump-branded skyscraper in Ho Chi Minh City. Legal experts cited in the report say the government bypassed its own legal standards, granting concessions far more generous than those typically extended to even the most well-connected Vietnamese developers.
The motivation, the Times suggests, is rooted in the fear of economic retaliation: “Officials waved the development along as they face intense pressure to strike a trade deal that would head off President Trump’s threat of steep tariffs, which would hit about 30 percent of Vietnam’s exports.”
The report underscores a broader concern among diplomats and trade observers: that the boundary between Trump the president and Trump the businessman has blurred to such an extent that governments around the world feel compelled to curry favor with the Trump brand to maintain political and economic ties.
This past week, Eric Trump—President Trump’s second son—was in Vietnam to ceremonially break ground for the project. Meanwhile, local farmers in the area slated for the golf course development say they not only risk losing cherished land and livelihoods but are also receiving compensation far below the market value of their properties. To read the full NYT article, click here.
My comment: In the broader geopolitical context, the Trump administration’s actions in Vietnam have been shaped in part by a desire to retaliate against China for offshoring its manufacturing base to Southeast Asian countries. There's also a strategic aim to drive a wedge between China and nations like Cambodia, where Beijing is actively deepening its influence. Vietnam, in particular, finds itself in a difficult position. If Hanoi distances itself from Washington, it risks severe economic fallout, including potential tariffs that could threaten hundreds of thousands of jobs. But aligning too closely with a transactional and unpredictable White House may yield few tangible benefits—Europe’s experience is a cautionary tale—and could also provoke a backlash from Beijing.
Russia is building bases and expanding its military footprint near the Finnish border, in a sign of where its swollen army could be moved after a ceasefire in Ukraine. New satellite imagery has revealed columns of new troop tents, expanding military bases and renovated Arctic airfields, all opposite Nato’s northeastern flank in what could be a harbinger of a future war. The signals are elsewhere too. The Kremlin is expanding military recruitment, increasing weapons production and upgrading logistical infrastructure along Russia’s borders with Norway, Finland and the Baltics. Finnish defence officials say the new build-up is small-scale, but is likely being done in preparation for tens of thousands of troops as well as military assets to be redeployed to their border and further north to the Arctic. While not imminent, they told The Telegraph that the threat is very real. The officials believe they have up to five years until Moscow can beef up its forces to concerning levels if the full-scale war in Ukraine comes to and end. “We joined Nato, so we anticipated this,” said Major General Sami Nurmi, chief of strategy of the Finnish defence forces. The military, he said, is “watching very closely.” - Daily Telegraph
British security officials are investigating whether Russia may be involved in three arson attacks on properties connected to Sir Keir Starmer, according to senior Whitehall figures. The attacks on the UK prime minister’s family home in Kentish Town, north London, along with a car and a residential property that the prime minister previously owned, took place earlier this month. Two Ukrainian men and a Romanian national have been charged with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life in connection with the fires. Police have said the trio conspired with “others unknown”. The senior Whitehall figures said UK officials are investigating whether actors in Russia may have recruited the trio accused of starting the fires. They said discussions are being held on how best to respond if that is the case. Prosecutor Sarah Przybylska has said in court that the alleged conspiracy is currently “unexplained”. Counterterrorism police leading the investigation are keeping an open mind about motive. Starmer has said the fires were “an attack on all of us, on democracy, and the values that we stand for”. - FT
Russia has intensified strikes on Ukraine, with the highest number of drones and missiles launched in a single night yet. At least 14 people, including three children, were killed and dozens injured, officials said. The attack came a day after the Ukrainian capital Kyiv suffered one of the heaviest assaults of the war. Rescuers were working in more than 30 cities and villages after the "massive" strike, President Zelensky said in a statement on Sunday morning. In terms of the numbers of drones and missiles launched, Saturday night was the highest yet. Russia is able not only to just manufacture them at a faster rate, but they are also evolving. Shahed drones are now being packed with more explosives and improved technology to evade detection. Ukraine's Air Force said that since 20:40 on Saturday local time (17:40 GMT), Russia had carried out strikes using 367 missiles of various types, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and drones. The air force said it had shot down 45 cruise missiles and destroyed 266 UAVs, with most regions in Ukraine affected and hits recorded in 22 locations. Deaths were reported in several regions - BBC
Meanwhile, a respected British military analyst, Michael Clarke, says Russia could be preparing to create buffer zones inside Ukrainian territory near Kharkiv and Sumy. While saying a military takeover of Kharkiv - Ukraine’s second-largest city - is unlikely, the chances of creating pockets inside the oblast looks increasingly likely based on intelligence reports of buildups of military muscle. The advance would likely happen in small phases, but it could take away from the Kremlin’s ability to hold territory it’s gained in the south of Ukraine.
Princess Elisabeth, the 23-year-old future queen of Belgium, has just completed her first year at Harvard University but the ban imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration on foreign students studying there could jeopardise her continued studies. The Trump administration revoked Harvard University's ability to enroll international students on Thursday, and is forcing current foreign students to transfer to other schools or lose their legal status in the U.S., while also threatening to expand the crackdown to other colleges. Elisabeth is studying Public Policy at Harvard, a two-year master's degree program that according to the university's website broadens students' perspectives and sharpens their skills for "successful career in public service". The princess is heir to the Belgian throne, as the eldest of four children born to King Philippe and Queen Mathilde. Before attending Harvard, she earned a degree in history and politics from the UK's Oxford University. Harvard said on Thursday the move by the Trump administration - which affects thousands of students - was illegal and amounted to retaliation - Reuters
Hong Kong has said it will open its universities to more international students, highlighting those affected by the US government's move this week to block Harvard from enrolling foreign nationals. The sharp escalation in US President Donald Trump's longstanding feud with the prestigious university came as tensions simmer between Washington and Beijing over trade and other issues. On Friday, Hong Kong Education Secretary Christine Choi called on universities in the Chinese city to welcome "outstanding students from all over the world.. For international students affected by the United States' student admission policy, the Education Bureau (EDB) has appealed to all universities in Hong Kong to provide facilitation measures for eligible students," Choi said in a statement, noting the ban on Harvard's admission of international students. She said local universities were making use of government measures, including relaxing the maximum limits on foreign students to attract more to Hong Kong. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology on Friday invited international students enrolled at Harvard, as well as anyone with offers to attend the elite school, to continue their studies at HKUST. “We are extending this opportunity to ensure talented students can pursue their educational goals without disruption," it said in a statement. The university "will provide unconditional offers, streamlined admission procedures, and academic support to facilitate a seamless transition for interested students", it added - France 24
Vietnam's technology ministry has instructed telecommunication service providers to block the messaging application Telegram for not cooperating in combating alleged crimes committed by its users, according to a government document reviewed by Reuters. The document, dated May 21 and signed by the deputy head of the telecom department at the technology ministry, ordered telecommunication companies to take measures to block Telegram and report on them to the ministry by June 2. The ministry asked telecommunication service providers "to deploy solutions and measures to prevent Telegram's activities in Vietnam". The document said the ministry was acting on behalf of the country's cyber-security department after police reported that 68% of the 9,600 Telegram channels and groups in the country violated the law, citing fraud, drug trafficking and "cases suspected of being related to terrorism" among the illegal activities carried out through the app. A technology ministry official confirmed to Reuters the authenticity of the document, noting the move follows Telegram's failure to share user data with the government when asked as part of criminal investigations.
Ho Chi Minh City has confirmed its first cases of a new COVID-19 variant, which has also been identified in 22 other countries around the globe. Scientists have discovered that NB.1.8.1, a sub-lineage of XDV.1, is present in 83 per cent of recent gene sequencing samples taken from COVID-19 patients in the city. In Taiwan, this variant has become the dominant strain, particularly affecting unvaccinated individuals and the elderly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US also reported its presence among international travellers - Viet Nam News
French President Emmanuel Macron begins a tour of Southeast Asia on Sunday, starting with Vietnam – the first visit by a French leader in a decade. The trip is part of France’s push to deepen economic ties in the region, counter China’s influence and navigate tensions over human rights – all while managing the legacy of its colonial past. Vietnam’s efforts to diversify foreign investment – particularly in transport and renewable energy – align with France’s ambitions to counterbalance China’s growing influence in the region. Macron heads to Indonesia and Singapore afterwards
Cathay Pacific Airways is facing mounting scrutiny as pilots disclose reluctance to report illnesses due to financial penalties and disciplinary concerns, sparking alarms over compromised flight safety. The Hong Kong carrier has publicly urged crew to prioritise health, but insiders claim systemic pressures contradict these assurances. Under post-pandemic contracts, pilots are paid solely for flight hours—a shift from pre-COVID terms that protected income during short-term sickness. This structure leaves those taking sick leave facing steep income losses, while repeated absences trigger oversight from the airline’s absence management team. One pilot, speaking anonymously, said: “No one wants to fly unwell, but losing a week’s wages forces tough choices. The system penalises us for being honest.” Aviation safety experts warn the policy risks dangerous outcomes. Symptoms like fatigue, coughs, or congestion can impair critical decision-making during flights. The International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) stresses that unwell crew “endanger passengers, colleagues, and aircraft,” urging airlines to prioritise health over operational demands. Before 2020, Cathay’s employment terms included safeguards for short-term illness, allowing pilots to recover without financial strain. Industry analysts argue this approach better balanced welfare and safety. A former Cathay captain noted: “Fatigue was managed more responsibly under the old system. Now, economic fears override common sense.” - Dim Sum Daily
The journals…
