Vietnam on Thursday hailed as a breakthrough a long-awaited trade deal with the United States and said its negotiators were coordinating with U.S. counterparts to formalise terms with Washington, Details on the deal announced by U.

Against a ticking clock, President Donald Trump said Wednesday the United States has reached a trade agreement with Vietnam, pulling off the administration’s third significant deal ahead of a self-imposed July 9 deadline.

Vietnam finds itself caught between its two biggest trading partners as the Trump administration tries to stop Chinese exporters using Vietnam as a way station.