The U.S. presidential election ended more swiftly than expected, with an overwhelming victory for former President Donald Trump. The current circumstances are different from the time Trump first took office in 2016, but the world is still facing a lot of uncertainties stemming from the United States. This forces nations to thoroughly examine potential policy changes and prepare coping strategies to make the most of opportunities and mitigating risks in the turbulent years ahead. Vietnam is no exception. Vietnam is one of the few countries that managed to navigate the first Trump presidency relatively successfully. During that time, U.S.-Vietnam relations flourished. Trump visited Vietnam twice, 2017 and 2019, more than any other ASEAN nation. Vietnam also capitalized effectively on Trump’s unpredictable trade policy, becoming a “safe haven” for international investors. However, past success does not guarantee future security. Vietnam must pay particular attention to three major policy shifts under Donald Trump 2.0, which could directly or indirectly impact the country in both short and long terms. First, it is trade policy. Trump is a staunch protectionist, famously describing tariffs as “the greatest.” It is almost certain that the U.S. will increase tariff barriers after he assumes office in late January […]
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