Vietnam on Thursday hailed as a breakthrough a long-awaited trade deal with the United States and said its negotiators were coordinating with U.S. counterparts to formalise terms with Washington, Details on the deal announced by U.

Vietnam finds itself caught between its two biggest trading partners as the Trump administration tries to stop Chinese exporters using Vietnam as a way station.

Against a ticking clock, President Donald Trump said Wednesday the United States has reached a trade agreement with Vietnam, pulling off the administration’s third significant deal ahead of a self-imposed July 9 deadline.