Mixing family business with US trade policy in Vietnam

This NPR Planet Money Indicator podcast episode discusses the ethical concerns surrounding the Trump Organization's $1.5 billion golf course project in Vietnam. The episode highlights the potential conflict of interest given the simultaneous trade negotiations between the U.S. and Vietnam, and the attendance of the Vietnamese Prime Minister at the groundbreaking ceremony. Experts weigh in on U.S. ethics rules (or lack thereof) applicable to the President and Vice President, contrasting them with the stricter rules for other executive branch employees. The podcast also explores Vietnam's precarious position in the U.S.-China trade war and how its economic dependence might influence its decisions regarding the project. The Trump Organization's response denying any connection between the project and administration policies is included, along with commentary on similar ethical concerns raised during the Biden administration.