United States President Donald Trump revealed on Friday that he had a “very productive” phone conversation with To Lam, General Secretary of Vietnam’s Communist Party. The discussion centered on bilateral trade relations following the recent imposition of reciprocal tariffs by the U.S.

According to Trump’s statement on Truth Social, Lam expressed Vietnam’s willingness to lower tariffs on U.S. goods to zero, pending the successful negotiation of a new trade agreement with Washington. Trump thanked the Vietnamese leader on behalf of the United States and indicated that he looks forward to an in-person meeting soon.

The announcement follows Trump’s April 2 directive implementing a 46% reciprocal tariff on Vietnamese imports. The White House calculated the tariff as a response to what it described as a 90% average tariff that Vietnam imposes on American goods. Vietnam was one of the nations most heavily impacted by the measure, sparking diplomatic and economic concern in Hanoi.

In response to the U.S. decision, Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade quickly issued a formal diplomatic note. The document urged the U.S. government to delay the enforcement of the tariffs, signaling Vietnam’s interest in maintaining strong trade ties while seeking time to adjust to the new trade policy landscape.

The potential for Vietnam to eliminate tariffs on U.S. goods could mark a significant development in Trump’s broader trade strategy, which emphasizes reciprocal agreements and reducing trade imbalances. If realized, such an agreement would also strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries amid a shifting global trade environment.

Trump’s outreach to Vietnam underscores his administration’s continued pursuit of aggressive trade reforms and bilateral agreements. The evolving talks with Vietnam could serve as a model for other nations facing similar tariff measures under Trump’s economic policies.

As the situation develops, attention will be on how swiftly the two countries can move toward a formal agreement and whether the U.S. will temporarily ease enforcement in light of Vietnam’s response. For now, Trump’s statement and Vietnam’s willingness suggest a potential easing of tensions and a path forward for improved economic relations.