Vietnam wishes to cooperate with the United States in overcoming the consequences of war.

According to Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang, the suspension of USAID support projects will have a strong impact on safety, people and the environment in the project areas.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang chaired the press conference. (Photo: Minh Duc/VNA)

On the afternoon of February 13, at the regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in response to reporters' questions about US President Donald Trump signing an executive order to freeze foreign aid, including cooperation projects with Vietnam in the fields of health, education, bomb, mine and explosive clearance, post-war dioxin remediation, etc., Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said:

"We are very interested in the decisions of the United States regarding the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Over the years, through various cooperation mechanisms including USAID, the two countries have effectively cooperated in many fields: health, environment, climate change, disaster relief, especially cooperation in overcoming the consequences of war.

US aid projects have been effective in many provinces and cities across Vietnam, bringing a better life to people who benefit from the projects.”

According to Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang, the suspension of USAID support projects, especially those on clearing bombs and explosives left over from the war as well as the Bien Hoa airport detoxification project, will have a strong impact on safety, people and the environment in the project areas.

In recent times, the support from the United States and cooperation from Vietnam in searching for missing American soldiers in the war have been of practical significance, contributing to strengthening the friendship between the people of the two countries, consolidating trust, building good relations between Vietnam and the United States, and are even more important in the context of the two countries celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang emphasized that in the coming time, Vietnam wishes to work with the United States to substantially and effectively implement these cooperative activities, contributing to the stable and long-term development of the bilateral relationship in accordance with the spirit of the joint statement on the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development.

Also at the press conference, answering reporters' questions about US President Donald Trump signing executive orders to increase tariffs on steel and aluminum imported into the US by 25% and eliminate all exemptions for all countries, effective from March 4, 2025, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said that Vietnam has been coordinating with the US to develop bilateral relations based on the foundation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

In fact, in recent years, trade and investment between the two countries have developed well, meeting the aspirations of the governments and people of the two countries. Vietnam is ready to work on a cooperative and constructive basis to share information, resolve issues of mutual concern and further strengthen the economic relationship between the two countries./.

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