Although US trade policy has mainly targeted China as its goods trade deficit with China accelerated to over 46% of the total US trade deficit in 2017 (USD375bn) from only 20% in 2001 (Fig. 1), Vietnam should not be at ease given it was fifth among the US’s top trade deficit partners in 2017 (Fig. 2) and the recent extensive expansion of US tariffs on other sectors (other than technology) and origins (other than China). Secretary of State Pompeo, during his recent trip in Hanoi, acknowledged the