Vietnam is among the countries welcoming the pause in US "reciprocal" tariffs. A spokesperson for the Vietnamese foreign ministry called a 90-day pause a "positive step."



The country was set to get hit with a 46 percent tariff before its implementation was put on hold.



Vietnamese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said in press conference on Thursday that both countries "will negotiate a reciprocal trade agreement based on mutual respect to achieve an appropriate solution toward equality, sustainability and meeting the interests of the people and businesses of the two countries."



Vietnam has the third-largest trade surplus with the US, after China and Mexico. The US is Vietnam's biggest export destination, with almost 30 percent of its exports going there, making it a major driver of the country's economy.



In phone talks on last Friday, Communist Party General Secretary To Lam told Trump he was ready to entirely eliminate tariffs on US goods. He asked the US to do the same for Vietnamese imports.



Hanoi announced on Monday it will import more US products related to defense and security, while asking that the tariff be delayed for at least 45 days.