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BEIJING: China has attributed its suspension of new aircraft deliveries from Boeing to escalating US tariffs, citing major disruptions to the global industrial and supply chains. According to a statement from China’s Ministry of Commerce, the “United States’ wielding of tariffs has severely impacted the stability of the global industrial chain and supply chain,” resulting in halted deliveries and financial losses for both Boeing and Chinese airlines. This follows new US tariffs of up to 145% on Chinese imports, countered by Beijing with its own 125% duties on US goods. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg confirmed that Chinese customers have paused acceptance of around 50 aircraft planned for delivery in 2025, warning that the company may soon redirect the jets to other buyers if the situation remains unresolved. Former US President Donald Trump criticised China for backing out of its commitments, urging Boeing to “default China for not taking the beautifully finished planes.” China’s commerce ministry responded by stating its willingness to maintain normal business cooperation and urged the US to create a stable environment for bilateral trade and investment. The development adds further strain to US-China economic relations, highlighting the broader implications of protectionist trade policies on global aviation and cross-border commerce.–AFP

HANOI: Japan and Vietnam have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting free trade and strengthening bilateral ties as Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba met with Vietnamese leaders in Hanoi on Monday. The visit, Ishiba’s first to Vietnam since taking office, comes as both nations engage in crucial talks with Washington to avert crippling US tariffs. “The world economy is becoming more uncertain, and the impact on the Southeast Asian region is also becoming apparent,” Ishiba said during a joint press conference with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. Journalists’ questions were not permitted during the briefing. The two leaders pledged to uphold the global rules governing the free flow of goods, emphasising the importance of maintaining an open international order based on the rule of law. Their meeting follows a series of high-level engagements across East Asia amid escalating trade tensions, including Vietnam’s hosting of China’s President Xi Jinping and visits from top South Korean ministers. Meanwhile, Japan recently conducted a trilateral summit with China and South Korea. In early April, the United States imposed “bilateral tariffs” of 46% on Vietnamese imports and 24% on Japanese goods. Although those duties were later paused until July pending negotiations, a blanket 10% levy currently applies to all imports into the US—one of the major export markets for both Japan and Vietnam. Economic ties between Japan and Vietnam are already extensive. Japanese firms, including Honda, Canon, and Panasonic, have invested approximately US$78 billion in Vietnam, according to the country’s finance ministry. Japanese banks also hold strategic stakes in several leading Vietnamese financial institutions. During Monday’s meeting, the two countries signed four cooperation agreements focused on boosting trade in energy transition products and advancing research and development in semiconductors. However, the details of the agreements were not disclosed, and it remains unclear whether they involve binding financial commitments. Vietnam’s top leader, To Lam, also met Ishiba on Sunday, urging Japan to further invest in infrastructure projects. Japan has previously conducted preliminary studies for Vietnam’s most ambitious infrastructure undertaking: a proposed US$67 billion high-speed railway connecting Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. However, the railway was not explicitly mentioned among the latest areas of cooperation. Ishiba’s next stop will be the Philippines, as Japan continues to strengthen its economic and diplomatic engagement across Southeast Asia during a period of growing global uncertainty.–REUTERS

SINGAPORE: Adyen, the global financial technology platform for leading businesses, today announced an expanded partnership with Vietnam Airlines, the country’s national flag carrier. Building on a collaboration that began in 2017 with Adyen’s gateway solution, Vietnam Airlines has now extended the partnership to include Adyen’s global acquiring capabilities, enabling seamless and efficient payment experiences across key markets such as Japan, Australia, the United States, and Europe. Through a single integration with Adyen, Vietnam Airlines can now process transactions faster and more reliably across both major credit cards and selected local payment methods, including Alipay and WeChat Pay. Adyen’s direct acquiring connections to global card networks like Visa and Mastercard enable businesses to benefit from local market conditions, leading to higher authorization rates and reduced transaction fees. Since the partnership expansion, Vietnam Airlines has recorded up to a 5% uplift in authorization rates. “Our strengthened partnership with Adyen represents a significant step forward in Vietnam Airlines’ digital transformation,” said Bui Tran Cuong, Deputy Director of Finance and Accounting at Vietnam Airlines. “With Adyen’s global reach and advanced payment solutions, we can offer travelers worldwide a smooth, secure, and flexible payment experience—supporting major card networks and emerging payment methods alike. This collaboration enables us to elevate the passenger journey while boosting operational efficiency and fostering innovation.” Warren Hayashi, President, Asia-Pacific at Adyen, added, “We’re honored to deepen our longstanding collaboration with Vietnam Airlines as their trusted payments partner. Our work together highlights how the right payment solutions can empower businesses to scale and serve a global customer base with ease.” Vietnam Airlines’ expanded partnership with Adyen marks a pivotal move to support its growth ambitions and commitment to delivering best-in-class service for travellers across the globe.