EU and Hanoi to elevate ties amid tariff problemReuters, HANOIThe EU and Vietnam are to elevate ties during a visit to Hanoi by European Council President Antonio Costa on Thursday, an EU official said, as both sides seek to expand international partnerships amid disruptions from US tariffs. The elevation of ties to Vietnam’s highest level has been planned for months and was delayed largely because of schedule complications, the official said. The upgrade of EU ties is expected to generate more cooperation in multiple fields, including research, technology, energy and critical minerals, the official cited a draft joint statement as saying. It has a string of free-trade agreements with multiple partners, including the EU. EU officials accused Hanoi of hampering EU imports with multiple non-tariff barriers, but Brussels has so far taken limited action to address the situation.
