Vietnam's government said on Thursday it would set up a task force and other Southeast Asian nations said they plan to seek talks with Washington as they reel from being hit with some of U.S. President Donald Trump's heftiest tariffs.

They are open to negotiations with Washington, but will also seek to diversify their export markets away from the U.S.

The varying levels of US tariffs could see investors move away from the likes of Vietnam and Cambodia and turn to countries like Singapore and Philippines, economists told CNA.