The United States and Vietnam agreed to start talks for a trade agreement, the Vietnamese government said on Thursday, hours after the U.S. paused the implementation of global "reciprocal" tariffs, including a 46% levy on Vietnam.

Vietnam is prepared to crack down on Chinese goods being shipped to the U.S. via its own territory to avoid crippling U.S. tariffs, according to a new report.

In hope of avoiding punishing US tariffs, Vietnam is prepared to crack down on Chinese goods being shipped to the United States via its territory and will tighten controls on sensitive exports to China,