US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will lead the US side in negotiating a bilateral trade agreement with Vietnam. (Photo: VGP/Tran Manh).
Continuing activities within the framework of his visit to the United States as Special Envoy of General Secretary To Lam to discuss bilateral economic and trade issues, on April 10 (local time), Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc had fruitful meetings with Finance Minister Scott Bessent and Commerce Minister Howard Lutnick.
During a special working trip to the United States, the Vietnamese Special Working Group led by Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc, Special Envoy of General Secretary To Lam, discussed with the US Government to reach an agreement to negotiate a bilateral trade agreement between the two countries.
In particular, the two sides have officially agreed to negotiate the content of tariffs, the most important pillar of this Agreement.
This is the biggest breakthrough during the recent days of intense negotiations that the Vietnamese Special Working Group has achieved with the US Government because previously the content of signing a bilateral trade agreement that our side had brought up many times but the US had not agreed.
Thus, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc has opened the "steel door" that had been closed for a long time and successfully completed the tasks and goals that the Party, State and Government leaders assigned to the special working group. In the coming time, the Government will consider establishing a ministerial-level technical negotiation group to concretize the results that the special working group has achieved in recent days.
Minister Bessent thanked Vietnam for promptly taking positive measures to address issues of concern to the United States; and highly appreciated the two countries' agreement to negotiate a bilateral trade agreement. (Photo: VGP/Tran Manh).
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will lead the US side negotiating a bilateral trade agreement with Vietnam.
At a meeting with Finance Minister Scott Bessent, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to developing the comprehensive strategic partnership with the United States and wishes to promote economic and trade relations in a balanced, harmonious and sustainable manner.
The Deputy Prime Minister appreciated the fact that the two sides agreed to initiate negotiations on a reciprocal trade agreement, including agreements on tariffs.
Affirming that Vietnam is ready for negotiations, the Deputy Prime Minister suggested that the two sides soon discuss specific issues to reach an agreement as soon as possible, thereby contributing to promoting stable and sustainable development of bilateral economic and trade relations, meeting the interests of the people and businesses of the two countries.
Finance Minister Scott Bessent expressed his pleasure to meet Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc, saying that he had visited Vietnam and personally had many good impressions and memories of the country and people of Vietnam.
Minister Bessent thanked Vietnam for promptly taking positive measures to address issues of concern to the United States; appreciated the two countries' agreement to negotiate a bilateral trade agreement; and said that the US government appointed him as head of the negotiating delegation with Vietnam.
The Minister expressed his belief that the two sides will soon reach appropriate solutions to promote stable and mutually beneficial economic and trade relations.
Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc and Minister of Commerce Howard Lutnick. (Photo: VGP/Tran Manh).
The US Department of Commerce will work closely with Vietnam to negotiate
At the meeting with Minister of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc said that the two sides' agreement to start negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement is extremely important, in line with the framework of the Vietnam - US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Emphasizing the significance of the two countries celebrating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations (1995-2025), the Deputy Prime Minister expressed his delight at the positive development of bilateral relations and hoped that the two sides would continue to closely coordinate to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, in which economic, trade and investment cooperation is an important pillar.
Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick affirmed that he highly values the relationship with Vietnam, saying that Vietnam is a large economy with great potential and an important partner of the United States in the region. (Photo: VGP/Tran Manh)
The Deputy Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam's consistent policy is to maintain political, economic and social stability; build an independent and self-reliant economy, associated with proactive and active international integration, deeply, practically and effectively.
The Deputy Prime Minister asked the US Department of Commerce to closely coordinate with relevant Vietnamese ministries, sectors and agencies during the negotiation process.
The Deputy Prime Minister asked the US Department of Commerce to closely coordinate with relevant Vietnamese ministries, sectors and agencies during the negotiation process. (Photo: VGP/Tran Manh)
Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick affirmed that he highly values the relationship with Vietnam, saying that Vietnam is a large economy with great potential and an important partner of the United States in the region.
Minister Lutnick emphasized that the United States currently prioritizes re-industrialization, bringing production back to the United States, and ensuring fair trade.
The Minister affirmed that the US Department of Commerce will closely coordinate with Vietnam to negotiate and resolve issues arising in bilateral economic and trade relations, aiming for a suitable agreement, contributing to the development of both the US and Vietnam.
Source: https://vtcnews.vn/mo-canh-cua-thep-trong-quan-he-thuong-mai-viet-nam-hoa-ky-ar936990.html
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