Viet Nam, Spain pledge to upgrade ties after tariff shock

The leaders of Spain and Viet Nam pledged on 9th April to upgrade ties to the highest level, as the two countries attempt to manage the fallout from enormous tariffs imposed by Washington. 

During a visit by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to Hanoi, he and counterpart Pham Minh Chinh signed a joint declaration aiming to elevate ties to the level of comprehensive strategic partnership. Sanchez said Spain was committed to an international order based on rules, "free trade and economic freedom".

Chinh said Viet Nam had proposed Spain be "a bridge to promote their relationship with the EU and Latin American countries and, for its part, Viet Nam agrees to be a bridge to strengthen the relationship between Spain and ASEAN". The pair signed five memoranda of understanding including on financial cooperation, culture cooperation and agricultural safety.