Vietnam's trade surplus with the U.S. expanded sharply in May as exports swelled and its imports from China also jumped, exacerbating sore points with Washington that could hurt Hanoi's efforts to avoid crippling tariffs.

The United States and Vietnam are set to hold a new round of trade negotiations by mid-June, according to Vietnams Ministry of Industry and Trade. The talks follow Hanois submission of a response to Washingtons

China and the U.S. have agreed to more tariff talks amid a trade standoff and concerns over rare earths, President Donald Trump said Thursday after a call with China's leader. Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping spoke on Thursday at a time when stalled tariff negotiations between their two countries have roiled global trade.