China's leader Xi Jinping started a week of diplomacy in Southeast Asia with a visit to Vietnam on Monday, signaling China' s commitment to global trade, just after U.S. President Donald Trump upended the global economy with his latest tariffs moves.

President Xi Jinping will meet Vietnam's leaders in Hanoi on Monday as he begins a three-nation trip to Southeast Asia, aiming to cement ties with some of China's closest neighbours amid mounting trade tensions with the United States.

President Xi Jinping’s first overseas trip of the year was meant to showcase China’s clout in the region. Now, President Donald Trump’s tariff threats have turned it into a push to keep Southeast Asian leaders from cutting deals at Beijing’s expense.

The 145% tariff from the United States and the retaliatory 125% tariff from China are putting businesses doing trade between the U.S. and China on edge.

China’s exports jumped 12.4% from a year earlier as companies rushed to beat increases in tariffs imposed by U.S. President Trump.

Trump announced a 90-day pause on a host of global tariffs he had planned, but increased levies on Chinese imports to 145%. "We urge the US to take a big step to correct its mistakes, completely cancel the wrong practice of 'reciprocal tariffs' and return to the right path of mutual respect,

China said it is now retaliating, adding 125% percent tariffs to U.S. goods, with the surcharge going into effect overnight.