Bamboo in Trade Storms: Vietnam’s Coping with Trump’s “Reciprocal Tariffs”

Amid Trump’s reciprocal tariffs, Vietnam secured tariff reductions while reinforcing strategic autonomy through “bamboo diplomacy”—a culturally grounded form of hedging. Drawing on trade, diplomatic and security evidence, the article shows that Hanoi paired tactical accommodation with strategic diversification and self-strengthening. This dual track preserved competitive access to the US market, avoided exclusive alignments and advanced developmental goals. The analysis offers lessons for small states facing coercion.