The Mind of a Leader - A Strategic Phone Call

The phone call between General Secretary To Lam and US President Donald Trump on the evening of April 4, 2025, was not only a notable current event, but also a typical case showing the central role of the Party leader in handling urgent economic challenges and reshaping strategic foreign relations for the country.

General Secretary To Lam had a phone call with US President Donald Trump. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA

When the United States unexpectedly announced a 46% tariff on Vietnamese goods – a record-breaking rate that directly threatened nearly $120 billion worth of exports annually and the livelihoods of millions of workers – the response from high-level leaders required not only quick thinking but also a comprehensive understanding of political economy and crisis management at the national level. In less than 48 hours, General Secretary To Lam proactively held a phone call with the US President, choosing the highest form of diplomacy for direct, transparent, and decisive dialogue.

The content of the phone call clearly demonstrated the character and strategic vision of a true national leader. By proposing a 0% reduction in import tariffs on American goods, the General Secretary not only showed a willingness to cooperate but also skillfully addressed the issue of fair trade based on the principle of reciprocity, while simultaneously protecting domestic industries and the workforce from potential instability.

However, what is even more noteworthy is how the General Secretary transformed a situational phone call into a gateway to expanding a comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and the United States. The official invitation for President Trump to visit Vietnam was not only a standard diplomatic move, but also an affirmation of Vietnam's readiness to cooperate with major powers on the basis of respect, substance, and long-term interests. This was not just a situational response, but laying the foundation for a new cycle of cooperation in areas such as high-tech investment, clean energy, education, digital transformation, and fair trade.

The phone call, therefore, went beyond simply discussing tariff rates. It was a transformative shift, where a leader was not only concerned with short-term goods flows, but was also looking far ahead to the nation's position in the global supply chain, the long-term competitiveness of the economy, and Vietnam's soft power on the international stage.

Screenshot of US President Donald Trump's announcement about his phone call with the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam on the social network Truth Social. Photo: Ngoc Quang/VNA reporter in the US

In a volatile world, political stability is a necessary condition, but the ability to engage in dialogue, proactively lead, and create new opportunities is the sufficient condition for a nation to thrive. General Secretary To Lam has clearly demonstrated a modern leadership mindset: taking stability as the foundation, dialogue as the method, and the people as the center of all decisions.

On a higher level, the General Secretary's actions demonstrate a readiness to usher Vietnam into a new era – an era of resilience, integration, and development. This is not merely a dialogue between two heads of state, but an affirmation of Vietnam's position in a world reshaping its order. When the Party leader clearly demonstrates macroeconomic management capabilities, a deep understanding of market principles, and the ability to lead and forge new strategic partnerships, the belief in a strong and prosperous Vietnam is no longer a distant aspiration, but is becoming a reality day by day.

Nguyen Son

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/tu-duy-cua-mot-nguyen-thu-cuoc-dien-dam-mang-tam-chien-luoc-20250405125931284.htm