Vietnam, EU Upgrade Relations as Trump Roils Global Trade

Vietnam's President Luong Cuong, left, and European Council President Antonio Costa review the guard of honour at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on Jan. 29.Photographer: Luong Thai Linh/AFP/Getty Images

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By Nguyen Dieu Tu Uyen and Nguyen Xuan Quynh

January 29, 2026 at 3:50 AM UTC

Updated on

January 29, 2026 at 4:33 AM UTC

Vietnam and the European Union have upgraded diplomatic relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, paving the way for deeper trade ties as US President Donald Trump’s tariffs roil global trade and strain long-held alliances.

The agreement was made on Thursday during the visit of European Council President Antonio Costa to Hanoi, and aims to boost cooperation on trade and investment in semiconductors, critical raw materials and security.