Vietnam, US initiate bilateral trade negotiations
Both sides agreed to maintain regular exchanges at both the leadership and technical levels to accelerate the negotiation on specific issues.
THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnam and the United States have officially launched bilateral economic and trade negotiations, a step towards balanced trade and sustainable relations between the two countries.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and USTR Jamieson L. Greer during a telephone conversation on April 23. Photo: MoIT
The announcement was made during a telephone conversation on April 23 between Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and US Trade Representative Jamieson L. Greer, marking the official start of bilateral economic and trade talks between Vietnam and the United States.
According to the Department of Foreign Market Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the discussion served as an important platform to address the principles, scope, and roadmap of the negotiations.
During the call, Minister Dien said that Vietnam values the development of a comprehensive strategic partnership with the United States. He expressed the government's desire to forge a balanced, stable, sustainable, and effective commercial relationship with the US.
Previously, the Trump administration had delayed the imposition of high reciprocal tariffs on dozens of trading partners, including Vietnam, for 90 days. During this period, a baseline tariff rate of 10% was applied.
Dien noted that Vietnamese ministries and agencies are willing to engage in discussions and constructively address US concerns, seeking mutually beneficial solutions in the spirit of "harmonized interests, shared risks."
In response, USTR Jamieson L. Greer welcomed the agreement to begin bilateral trade negotiations and expressed confidence that the two sides would soon find appropriate solutions to strengthen a stable and mutually beneficial economic partnership.
