Vietnam - US agree to start negotiations on reciprocal trade

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc - Special Envoy of General Secretary To Lam to discuss bilateral economic and trade issues - Photo: VGP

On the afternoon of April 9 (local time), within the framework of his visit to the US as Special Envoy of General Secretary To Lam to discuss bilateral economic and trade issues, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc met with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

The 46% tax does not reflect the true relationship between the two countries.

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc affirmed that Vietnam wishes to continue strengthening and deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership with the US; and thanked the US Government for always supporting a "strong, independent, self-reliant and prosperous" Vietnam.

Accordingly, he emphasized that Vietnam is persistent in building an independent and self-reliant economy, and in pursuing an independent and self-reliant foreign policy, multilateralizing and diversifying foreign relations.

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc affirmed that Vietnam wishes to work with relevant US agencies to concretize the contents of the exchange between General Secretary To Lam and US President Donald Trump on April 4, thereby continuing to maintain stable and sustainable economic and trade relations for the benefit of businesses and people of the two countries.

Vietnamese delegation working in the US - Photo: VGP

He said that recently, Vietnam has proactively implemented many measures to contribute to resolving the trade deficit between the two sides, responding to the concerns of the US side.

Accordingly, the US's imposition of high tariffs on Vietnam's export goods is not consistent with the mutually beneficial economic and trade relationship between the two countries and does not reflect the spirit of the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Therefore, Mr. Phoc suggested that although the US has decided to postpone the tax imposition for 90 days, the two countries need to soon negotiate a bilateral trade agreement to create a long-term framework, promote stable and mutually beneficial economic and trade relations, in line with the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer appreciated Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc's visit as Special Envoy of General Secretary To Lam.

At the same time, he expressed his gratitude and appreciation for Vietnam's positive and proactive steps, demonstrating Vietnam's commitment to promoting Vietnam-US economic and trade relations.

The US agreed that the two sides should start negotiations on a reciprocal trade agreement - Photo: VGP

Mr. Jamieson Greer affirmed that the US highly values bilateral relations with Vietnam and wishes to closely coordinate to resolve the trade deficit issue, moving towards increasingly deeper relations in all fields.

Sharing the reasons and challenges facing the US economy that forced the Trump administration to implement the recent tariff policy, Mr. Jamieson Greer explained that the high tax rate imposed by the Trump administration on Vietnam was due to the large trade deficit between the US and Vietnam.

Accordingly, the US agreed that the two sides should start negotiations on a reciprocal trade agreement, which will include tax agreements, and requested that technical levels of the two sides immediately conduct exchanges.

The two sides agreed to continue to closely coordinate to promote a favorable business environment, proactively review and consider minimizing non-tariff barriers to each other's goods, creating favorable conditions for US enterprises to increase investment and business in Vietnam, and strengthen coordination to control and prevent commercial fraud.

Want the US Congress to have a say

Also on April 8 and 9, within the framework of his working visit to the US, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc had meetings with Senator Bill Hagerty (Republican - Tennessee), Senator Steve Daines (Republican - Montana) and many American organizations and businesses.

Appreciating the support of the US Congress and individual senators for the Vietnam-US relationship, expressing joy at the positive developments of the Vietnam-US relationship after the two countries established a comprehensive strategic partnership, emphasizing the significance of 2025 as the 30th anniversary of the normalization of relations between the two countries. Regarding bilateral economic and trade relations, the Deputy Prime Minister said that the Vietnam-US relationship is complementary.

Vietnam does not compete with the US's strong products, imports many products, services, and high technology from the US; recently, Vietnam has proactively addressed many of the US's concerns.

The Deputy Prime Minister asked the US Congress to continue to support and speak out so that the US can lift tariffs on Vietnamese goods, and support the two countries' negotiations and exchanges to soon reach a long-term and sustainable bilateral trade cooperation agreement that meets the interests of the people and businesses of both countries.

The two Senators recalled good memories of their visit to Vietnam; hoped that the Vietnam-US relationship will continue to develop further and make positive contributions to peace and stability in the region and the world.

The two Senators appreciated Vietnam's proactive approach in handling tariff issues with the US; affirmed their support for Vietnam-US trade relations on the basis of overall strategic benefits in the bilateral relationship; and believed that Vietnam and the US would soon start the negotiation process and find solutions to promote stable and mutually beneficial economic and trade relations in the coming time.

Tuoitre.vn

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/viet-nam-my-thong-nhat-khoi-dong-dam-phan-ve-thuong-mai-doi-ung-2025041007192441.htm