Emergency pod alert! Last Thursday, the federal court blocked Trump’s tariffs. This bombshell changes everyone’s trade talks, including Vietnam. But in our latest New Asia Podcast, we investigate how, irrespective of the ruling, General Secretary Tô Lâm and the Politburo are undertaking to transform Vietnam into a “prosperous, well-educated, healthy and independent country.”

We explain why we believe Trump’s tariff proposals may have actually helped stimulate reform. We also explore misconceptions about Tô Lâm and his push for government accountability, private sector growth, and infrastructure spending, de-emphasizing Vietnam’s SOE sector, comparisons between Vietnam and China, DOGE, and how Vietnam will navigate diplomatic relations, manufacturing and exports going forward.

CHAPTERS:

• 00:00 – Intro
• 01:56 – Tariff bombshell
• 03:57 – Government action
• 06:40 – Tô Lâm institutes change
• 08:45 – Vietnam is not the same as China
• 11:32 – Learning without dominating
• 12:42 – Introducing responsibility
• 16:47 – Trump family sets a precedent
• 18:16 – Slimming the government
• 21:31 – A contrast with DOGE
• 25:13 – Potential digitization
• 27:29 – Improving trade relationships
• 28:14 – Time to invest

To learn more about Muddy Waters Asia, please visit ⁠MuddyWatersAsia.com and follow us on ⁠X at @MuddyWatersAsia⁠.