China and Vietnam announced plans to conduct their first joint army training exercise later this month, marking a significant step in deepening military ties as both nations contend with mounting U.S. tariffs.

According to a statement from China’s defence ministry on Sunday, the drill is aimed at enhancing practical military cooperation. The exercise will take place in Guangxi, a region in southern China bordering Vietnam.

Though China and Vietnam have previously carried out joint naval patrols, this is the first instance of formal coordination between their land forces, highlighting a growing strategic alignment.

Trade Pressures and Strategic Balancing

Vietnam has been navigating a precarious diplomatic path between its major trading partners, China and the United States. The Southeast Asian nation, which posted the world’s third-largest trade surplus with the U.S. last year, was caught off guard earlier this month when former President Donald Trump announced a new 20% tariff on Vietnamese goods.

Vietnam has since been lobbying Washington to ease these measures, even seeking help from American business groups to influence the outcome of ongoing trade discussions.

Meanwhile, Beijing has warned against any moves that could undermine its interests. Following Trump’s tariff announcement, China’s commerce ministry said it was “assessing” the situation, while President Xi Jinping used an April visit to Hanoi to call for joint efforts to resist “unilateral bullying.”

Growing Military Ties

The upcoming joint drill reflects broader efforts by both countries to strengthen ties amid shifting global dynamics. With the U.S. escalating trade measures against both Beijing and Hanoi, closer security cooperation appears to serve mutual interests.

China remains Vietnam’s largest trading partner, and both countries share complex historical and territorial disputes, notably in the South China Sea. However, recent moves suggest a convergence in certain areas, particularly against shared external pressures.