Vietnam calls on US to lift restrictions on high-tech exports
Minister of Trade and Industry Nguyen Hong Dien has recently had a working session with Jacob Helberg, Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, in Washington DC, as part of his US visit to facilitate the 5th round of talks on a bilateral trade agreement.
In the meeting, the Vietnamese official reaffirmed that Vietnam consistently views expanding cooperation with the US in high technology as a strategic step aligned with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Vietnam aims for growth driven by science, technology and innovation, striving for an average growth rate of more than 10% over the next decade. Cooperation with the United States in artificial intelligence (AI), advanced technologies and the development of a technology ecosystem is therefore considered appropriate and essential.
The trade minister stressed that Vietnam has shown goodwill in trade negotiations, helping the US secure favourable outcomes with various partners.
For that reason, Vietnam hopes for reasonable and flexible solutions consistent with the comprehensive strategic partnership and requested that the US s consider removing Vietnam from the D1 and D3 lists restricting exports of high-tech products, as well as recognising Vietnam’s market economy status. These steps would help lay the groundwork for stronger cooperation in the future.
Under Secretary Jacob Helberg expressed his pleasure at meeting the Minister again and highly valued Vietnam’s proactive approach, especially its AI cooperation initiatives. The US side reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation with Vietnam in security, energy, logistics, supply chains and manufacturing.
Helberg recalled discussions with Minister Dien held earlier in Malaysia, highlighting shared priorities such as advancing cooperation in leading technologies, building a high-tech ecosystem and promoting mechanisms to protect foundational industries, particularly semiconductors and AI.
He noted that Vietnam possesses significant manufacturing strengths and holds strategic importance for the US in developing high-tech sectors.
He welcomed Vietnam’s proposals and said he would report them fully to senior US leaders, including President Donald Trump. The Under Secretary emphasised two parallel approaches: advancing the reciprocal trade agreement and expanding strategic cooperation in economic security, supply chains and technology. He proposed establishing shared principles to serve as the basis for developing sector-specific MOUs and launching pilot projects.
Minister Dien expressed confidence in the Under Secretary’s role in promoting bilateral relations and hoped the two sides would soon achieve concrete and substantive results that would help advance the Vietnam–US partnership in the years ahead.
Vietnam, US push forward trade talks, agricultural imports
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien held talks with US Congressman Adrian Smith in Washington D.C. on November 13, seeking to advance Vietnam-US trade negotiations and expand imports of American agricultural products.
