Vietnam's export triumph: How a small nation beat China and India to become America's top trade partner

Vietnam now leads all nations in its trade surplus with the United States. This significant shift occurred during the first half of the year 2026. Vietnam's surplus reached $114 billion, surpassing China and Mexico. This growth stems from economic reforms initiated in the 1980s and a "China plus one" strategy. Companies are increasingly diversifying manufacturing away from China towards Vietnam.