In recent years Vietnam has forged strategic and economic links with the United States, its former foe, making the steep tariff rate all the more of a shock.

In Little Saigon, enmity for the Vietnamese government thrives among the older generation, many of whom arrived in the U.S. as refugees after the fall of Saigon. Some are even willing to pay higher prices if it means the Communist regime will suffer.

Vietnam is actively seeking to negotiate a reduction in the high tariff rate imposed by the Trump Administration.