Vietnam’s goods trade surplus with the US in the first 10 months of 2025 was $144.2 billion, surpassing its full-year total in 2024. (Photo: Reuters)HANOI - The Trump administration plans to replace ‌the US ambassador to Vietnam with a nominee ​set on addressing “imbalanced” trade relations, as Hanoi’s goods trade surplus with Washington surpassed China’s in recent quarters amid unresolved tariff negotiations. Vietnam overtakes ChinaThe latest seasonally adjusted US data ‌shows ‍Vietnam’s January to October trade surplus in goods reached $144.2 billion, already surpassing its full-year 2024 record. Crucially, Vietnam’s goods trade surplus was higher than China’s in the second and third quarters of 2025, the latest available ‌US ​data shows. China’s trade surplus with the US still remains higher than Vietnam’s for the full January-October period.

Source: Bangkok Post January 13, 2026 09:28 UTC