China's Xi Arrives in Vietnam seeking Closer trading ties

China and Vietnam signed dozens of cooperation agreements during a state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping, as he aimed to strengthen ties in Southeast Asia on his first overseas trip of the year.

The two countries signed a total of 45 deals as the Chinese leader met Vietnamese Communist Party chief To Lam on Monday, Vietnamese state media VTV reported, without offering details of the agreements. The leaders agreed to establish a committee for railway development between the two nations in a bid to boost cooperation in that area, the report added.

Vietnam is seeking to further strengthen cooperation with China in security, transport and securing preferential loans as well as technology transfers from China, VTV said. Hanoi also expects more balanced trade with its neighbor, it said.

Xi landed in Vietnam days after Donald Trump raised tariffs on China but gave everyone else — including Vietnam, which is negotiating over its 46% rate — a 90-day pause.

His regional tour, which will also see him visit Malaysia and Cambodia, highlights the tricky position Southeast Asian nations face. They’ve become key routes for Chinese exports to reach the US since Trump’s tariff hikes on Beijing in his first term.