The deals were signed as part of a working visit by a delegation from the Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to the US states of Iowa, Ohio, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., from June 2 to 6.

Led by Minister Do Duc Duy, the delegation included representatives of nearly 50 Vietnamese agencies, agricultural enterprises, and associations. The trip aimed to promote two-way trade and explore new opportunities for Vietnam to increase imports of US agricultural and wood products. The delegation also sought to learn about advanced technologies to improve the competitiveness of Vietnam’s agricultural value chains.

The MoUs demonstrates a strong commitment and goodwill from both the Vietnamese business community and government to promote more balanced trade with the United States. Enterprises expressed hope that a bilateral trade agreement will soon be reached, which will reduce tariffs on agricultural products, strengthen joint supply chains, and contribute to the prosperity of both countries within the framework of the comprehensive strategic partnership.

As part of the trip, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also signed an MoU with the US Grains Council (USGC). USGC Chairwoman Verity Ulibarri said the two sides have enjoyed a long-standing relationship, and the new MoU further reinforces the Council’s commitment to working with Vietnam and facilitating agricultural trade.

She noted that current tariffs have pushed up the cost of US products in Vietnam and that USGC is working daily with government agencies and representatives to ensure their concerns are heard and to create more favorable conditions for improving the trade balance with Vietnam.

At a dialogue with the US–ASEAN Business Council (USABC) on June 6 (local time), USABC President and CEO Ted Osius voiced support for Vietnam’s agricultural development. He acknowledged that frequent changes in US tariff policy have created a challenging trade environment, and welcomed Vietnam’s consideration of increased agricultural imports from the US as a way to narrow the trade gap. He affirmed that USABC and its member companies will continue supporting the growth of Vietnam’s food and agriculture sector.

Minister Do Duc Duy, in response, reaffirmed the Vietnamese Government’s strong commitment to further institutional reform, administrative efficiency, and infrastructure upgrades, while fostering the most favorable conditions possible for international businesses, including US firms, to expand investment and trade in Vietnam on a long-term, sustainable basis.

In a recent interview with the press, Osius emphasized that the signed MoUs represent not only sound business decisions but also constructive political gestures. He stated that many of the exports will come from rural states such as Ohio and Iowa, where major agreements were signed.

As these states rely heavily on exports to sustain their farmers and local communities, he said the developments will likely draw attention from Washington, including senior officials such as the Treasury Secretary, Commerce Secretary, and the US Trade Representative. Vietnam’s willingness to engage and deal with trade imbalance concerns, he added, is a positive signal.

According to Minister Duy, the working trip of the Ministry and Vietnamese businesses was a success, yielding highly positive outcomes. Through forums and meetings, the delegation demonstrated clearly to US politicians, state officials, business communities, and the general public that Vietnam attaches great importance to its comprehensive strategic partnership with the US

Trade and investment, he stressed, remain key pillars of that partnership, and Vietnam is determined to nurture the relationship and elevate it to new heights in the current period and coming years.

Vietnam, US seek ways to boost fruit trading

The fruits of Vietnam and the US well complement each other, presenting a valuable opportunity to expand bilateral trade in this sector, said Ngo Xuan Nam, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Sanitary and Phytosanitary Notification Authority and Enquiry Point (SPS Vietnam) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

Vietnam’s additional US$600 million product purchase deal inked in Ohio, USA

VOV.VN - Following the signing of agricultural purchase deals worth US$800 million in the state of Iowa, Vietnamese businesses have continued to ink a similar memorandum of understanding worth US$600 million with partners in the state of Ohio.