SINGAPORE, April 10 -- The 46 per cent tariff imposed by the Trump administration on Vietnamese goods has shaken Vietnam's economic future, pushing the country closer to China's sphere of influence.

According to The Guardian, Vietnam had worked hard to strengthen ties with the US, reducing tariffs on American products and allowing SpaceX's Starlink service.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh even joked in January that he would play golf at Trump's Mar-a-Lago home if it could benefit his country's economy. However, the new tariffs are threatening to derail Vietnam's growth and tarnish its relationship with Washington.

The move has also sparked fears across Southeast Asia, with other nations facing similar tariffs, including Cambodia, Laos, ...