For the American consumer, the stakes remain high. The success of the “Vietnam Blink” could lead to lower prices for shoes, electronics, and apparel, provided the 46 percent tariffs are indeed removed in exchange for the zero-tariff deal. For the American worker, the strong jobs report offers a sense of security even as the global order is reshuffled. The coming months will determine if this “very productive” phone call was merely a temporary reprieve or the beginning of a fundamental realignment in how the United States interacts with the global economy. One thing is certain: the margin for error in Washington is thin, and the world is watching to see who blinks next.
