Why Nike and Lululemon Stock Jumped After Trump’s Call With Vietnam’s President

A quick phone call with Vietnam’s new leader sent shares soaring — here’s what it means for Nike, Lululemon, and your wardrobe.

Vietnam has a trade surplus of more than $123 billion with the US. (Shutterstock)

Let’s talk about something that’s not getting enough attention but actually matters if you care about fashion, business, or just want to understand why Nike stock suddenly popped off on a random Friday.

So here’s the tea: Nike and Lululemon — two giants in the world of sneakers, athleisure, and all things fitness-chic — saw their stock prices soar after former President Trump shared that he had a “very productive” phone call with Vietnam’s new president, To Lam.

Why does that matter? Well, here’s the deal:

Both Nike and Lululemon rely heavily on manufacturing in Vietnam. We're talking huge portions of their production — especially sneakers and athletic wear — come straight out of Vietnamese factories. So when tensions between the U.S. and Vietnam start to rise, or trade talks get dicey, it can spook investors and mess with the supply chain.

But the reverse is also true. When things are looking friendly — like after Trump’s glowing review of his convo with President To Lam — investors breathe a little easier, and the stock market reflects that.

📈 Enter the rebound: After the announcement, shares in Nike and Lululemon jumped, signaling renewed confidence that things are staying smooth between the U.S. and Vietnam — at least for now.

Vietnam, in case you didn’t know, is a massive player in global manufacturing. The country currently holds a $123 billion trade surplus with the U.S., and it's a major go-to for companies looking to avoid China-centric supply chains. Brands love Vietnam for its skilled labor force, lower production costs, and trade-friendly policies. It’s like the MVP of global fashion manufacturing right now.

And let’s not forget — this also ties into the bigger picture of election-year politics. Trump wants to flex his foreign policy chops, while companies want reassurance that their supply chains won’t get disrupted. So even a seemingly casual phone call can have big business implications.

Meanwhile, for everyday shoppers like us? This kind of stability means fewer chances of price hikes, delays in product drops, or that annoying “out of stock” notification when you try to snag new leggings or Dunks.

In short: a political phone call in 2025 just casually reminded us how globalized fashion really is — and how much what's happening halfway around the world can influence what we wear, when we get it, and how much we pay.