Vietnam Bypasses Environmental Laws for $1.5 Billion Trump Golf Resort Amid Tariff Threats

Vietnam is facilitating an expedited approval process for a $1.5 billion Trump-branded golf resort, disregarding its own laws amidst tensions over potential tariffs from the United States. As President Trump threatens to reinstate steep tariffs of 46% on Vietnamese exports, the Vietnamese government appears eager to secure a new trade agreement, leading to an alarming bypassing of environmental assessments and local consultations that usually accompany such large-scale projects.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Trump International development, held on May 21, 2025, received criticism for moving ahead just three months after filing initial documents, a typically lengthy process requiring years to navigate. Locals have expressed outrage as their land, previously valued much higher, is slated for sale at a significant loss, putting their livelihoods and ancestral sites at risk. One resident, Le Van Truong, fears losing his farmland and a cemetery holding generations of his family.

Documents suggest that local leaders are under immense pressure to prioritize the project, which has been described as receiving direct attention from the Trump administration. Despite the White House’s claims of a “blind trust,” the evident conflation of personal business interests with diplomatic relations raises serious ethical concerns. White House officials maintained that there is no conflict of interest despite maintaining that Trump’s businesses are run by his sons.

The development plans include luxury offerings such as two golf courses and riverside villas. Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated the project would receive “maximum support” from the government, further reinforcing the troubling intertwining of the former president’s financial ventures with international relations.

Overall, this project exemplifies the unethical dealings and self-serving motivations that have characterized Trump’s presidency. As Vietnam’s government prioritizes the Trump family’s financial interests over the rights and voices of its citizens, the potential for widespread local harm reflects a troubling trend of prioritizing wealth over community welfare.