General Secretary To Lam talks on the phone with US President Donald Trump. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA
When the United States suddenly announced a 46% tax on Vietnamese goods - a record tax rate, directly threatening the export flow worth nearly 120 billion USD per year, and the livelihoods of millions of workers, the response of senior leaders required not only quickness, but also comprehensive thinking about political economy and the ability to handle crises at the national level. In less than 48 hours, General Secretary To Lam proactively called the President of the United States, choosing the highest form of diplomacy for direct, transparent and decisive dialogue.
The content of the phone call clearly demonstrated the mettle and strategic vision of a true national leader. By proposing to reduce import tariffs on US goods to 0%, the General Secretary not only demonstrated his willingness to cooperate but also skillfully raised the issue of trade fairness based on the principle of “reciprocity”, while protecting domestic manufacturing industries and labor forces from the risk of instability.
However, what is most noteworthy is how the General Secretary transformed a situational phone call into a door to expand the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and the United States. The official invitation for President Trump to visit Vietnam is not only a standard diplomatic move, but also an affirmation that Vietnam is ready to accompany major powers on the basis of respect, substance and long-term interests. This is not just about handling the situation, but also laying the foundation for a new cycle of cooperation in the fields of high-tech investment, clean energy, education, digital transformation and fair trade.
The call was therefore not just about tariffs. It was a tectonic shift, where a leader was not just concerned with the short-term flow of goods, but was looking far ahead to the country’s position in the global supply chain, the long-term competitiveness of the economy, and Vietnam’s soft power on the international stage.
Screenshot of US President Donald Trump's announcement about his phone call with the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam on the social network Truth Social. Photo: Ngoc Quang/VNA correspondent in the US
In the context of a volatile world, political stability is a necessary condition, but the ability to dialogue, proactively lead and create new opportunities is a sufficient condition for a country to rise up. General Secretary To Lam has clearly demonstrated a modern leadership mindset: taking stability as the foundation, taking dialogue as the method and taking the people as the center of all decisions.
At a higher level, the General Secretary’s actions demonstrate his readiness to lead Vietnam into a new era – an era of courage, integration and development. It is not just a dialogue between two heads of state, but an affirmation of Vietnam’s position in a world that is reshaping the order. When the Party leader clearly demonstrates his capacity for macro-management, a deep understanding of market rules, and the ability to lead and create new strategic partnerships, the belief in a strong and prosperous Vietnam is no longer a distant aspiration, but is becoming a reality every day.
Nguyen Son
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/tu-duy-cua-mot-nguyen-thu-cuoc-dien-dam-mang-tam-chien-luoc-20250405125931284.htm
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