HANOI: France and Vietnam are set to signal dozens of offers on Monday (Might 26) when French President Emmanuel Macron meets Vietnamese leaders in Hanoi as he seeks to extend France’s affect within the former colony, which faces threats of excessive United States tariffs.
In his first formal go to to the nation, and the primary for a French president in practically a decade, Macron can be accompanied by greater than a dozen enterprise executives, mentioned an official with data of the matter, and is anticipated to supervise the signing of probably 30 agreements whereas attempting to spice up cooperation in a number of sectors, together with aviation, nuclear vitality, railways, renewables, analysis, satellites and defence.
Macron’s long-planned journey to Vietnam, the primary leg of a bigger Southeast Asian tour together with Indonesia and Singapore, comes on the heels of US President Donald Trump’s threats on Friday to impose 50 per cent duties on European Union items from June, critically escalating commerce tensions with the 27-country bloc.
As export-dependent Vietnam can be below strain from Washington to purchase extra American items to keep away from 46 per cent duties, European officers informed the nation earlier than Macron’s go to to watch out in its concessions to the White Home, two officers primarily based in Vietnam with data of the discussions informed Reuters.
In talks with the US, “Vietnam ought to be sure that to not make selections on the expense of European pursuits”, one of many officers mentioned, noting Vietnamese leaders had been informed this might jeopardise shut relations with the EU, which has a free commerce cope with Vietnam and is a significant purchaser of its items.
It’s not clear whether or not Macron will emphasise that message on Monday, as which will rely upon the offers France will strike.
