Vietnam is ready to open its market to US exports.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien emphasized that Vietnam is ready to open its market and give more incentives to US export goods and asked the US to take corresponding steps.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien received and worked with Nike Group. (Photo: VNA)

Continuing activities within the framework of his working trip to the US, on June 11, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien had a working session with Senator Roger Marshall, representative of Kansas state, a member of the Republican Party and an influential voice in US politics on economic , trade and agricultural issues.

Also attending the meeting were leaders of the Ministry of Justice , Agriculture, Public Security, State Bank, the Vietnamese Ambassador to the US and representatives of relevant ministries and branches.

At the meeting, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien conveyed the message of General Secretary To Lam and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to Senator Roger Marshall, affirming Vietnam's determination to build a comprehensive strategic partnership with the US; and the desire to promote bilateral economic and trade cooperation, for the common interests of the people and businesses of the two countries.

The Minister emphasized that Vietnam is ready to open its market and give more incentives to US export goods and asked the US to take corresponding steps.

Regarding the current negotiation process of the Reciprocal Trade Agreement between the two countries, the Minister said that Vietnam is consistent in negotiating with the US towards a bilateral agreement on the basis of respecting sovereignty, autonomy, political institutions, harmony, balance of interests and in accordance with international commitments and the development level of each country.

The Minister expressed his hope that Senator Roger Marshall, with his strong political influence in the Republican Party and deep understanding of trade, agriculture and innovation issues, would speak up in support of Vietnam in the negotiation process; at the same time, act as a bridge to promote cooperation between Vietnam and the US in general and with Kansas in particular, especially in areas where Kansas has strengths such as agriculture, aviation and biotechnology.

Senator Roger Marshall highly appreciated Vietnam's seriousness, initiative and goodwill in participating in negotiations with the US, saying that he would soon consult with the President and the US cabinet ministers involved in the negotiation process and hoped to see positive results from both sides. In addition, the Senator also highly appreciated the Minister's working trip and said that this trip would open up many opportunities for cooperation in many fields of both countries.

Previously on June 10, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien had a meeting with Ms. Jennifer M. Chan and Ms. Zoe Barinaga, Vice President of Exxon Mobil Corporation. Also attending the meeting were Deputy Minister of Finance Cao Anh Tuan, Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Dung, Deputy General Director of the National Industry - Energy Group Do Chi Thanh and representatives of relevant agencies.

At the meeting, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien highly appreciated the cooperation results over the past 16 years between Vietnam and Exxon Mobil, a leading corporation in the oil and gas sector of the US and the world.

The Minister welcomed Exxon Mobil's cooperation in many energy projects in Vietnam, including oil and gas exploration and exploitation projects, and gas-fired power projects in Vietnam, as well as Exxon Mobil's commitment to Vietnam in providing reliable energy sources while minimizing greenhouse gas emissions, towards the goal of carbon neutrality.

The Minister requested Exxon Mobil to continue implementing the Blue Whale Mine Exploitation Project in the current phase in accordance with the provisions of law and the signed Petroleum Contract.

On Exxon Mobil's side, the Group's representatives affirmed that they always believe in Vietnam's economic development prospects as well as its potential in the Southeast Asian region, and this is the reason why Exxon Mobil has implemented many projects in Vietnam.

The Group highly appreciated Vietnam's recent reforms under the leadership of General Secretary To Lam, and said that Vietnam's positive changes combined with political stability are making investors confident and continuing to attract more investors.

The Group's representative also pledged to convey positive messages about Vietnam to the White House, the US Trade Representative (USTR), the US Department of Commerce and the US Department of Energy to support Vietnam in the negotiation process with the US.

On the same day, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien had a meeting and worked with leaders of two leading US corporations, Nike and Walmart, which are currently having large-scale investment and business activities in Vietnam.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien received and worked with Walmart Group. (Photo: VNA)

At the meeting with Nike, the Minister appreciated the long-term, responsible presence of Nike Group in Vietnam - which accounts for about 50% of global Nike shoe production, creating jobs for more than 450,000 workers; at the same time, he shared concerns about the potential impact of the current tax policy on Nike's global supply chain as well as the interests of American consumers; thereby proposing a number of appropriate support directions for Nike's operations in Vietnam.

He affirmed: "Vietnam does not consider Nike simply an investor, but a strategic partner accompanying sustainable development and international integration."

In the afternoon of the same day, working with Walmart - the world's largest retail group, the Minister acknowledged Walmart's contribution in promoting Vietnamese goods to the global market and suggested that the group expand its purchases of high-value-added, environmentally friendly products; research and build a strategic purchasing center in Vietnam; and coordinate to improve the capacity of suppliers by sharing technical standards and training.

Discussing the difficulties Walmart is facing in doing business in Vietnam, the Minister of Industry and Trade affirmed that he will coordinate with the Ministry of Finance and relevant agencies to review and perfect policies, ensuring transparency and conformity with international practices.

Emphasizing the role of the US business community in the context of the Reciprocal Trade Agreement negotiations entering a crucial stage, the Minister called on Nike and Walmart to voice their strong support and promote the negotiation process to soon reach a fair, balanced and sustainable agreement between Vietnam and the US.

The Minister affirmed that Vietnam not only hopes that Nike and Walmart will continue to develop successfully in the Vietnamese market, but also considers the two corporations as strategic partners in efforts to promote the building of a green, transparent, flexible and sustainable supply chain, contributing to strengthening deep economic connectivity between the two countries./.

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/viet-nam-san-sang-mo-cua-thi-truong-cho-hang-hoa-xuat-khau-cua-my-post1043772.vnp