This was one of the first official meetings between US congress people and representatives of TPP member nations in the context that all concerned parties are accelerating negotiations to finalize legal documents on the TPP in 2012.

In his speech, ambassador Cuong highlighted the significance of the TPP agreement to the dynamic development of the Asia- Pacific region, noting that the number of the signed free trade agreements increased sharply from three in 2000 to 45 in 2010 while 84 more agreements were being negotiated.

Mr Cuong also affirmed Vietnam’s great determination in TPP negotiations and asked representatives from the New Democrat Coalition to support the US in granting the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) to Vietnam and recognizing the country’s market economy status.

Vice Chairman of the New Democrat Coalition Jim Himes affirmed his support for efforts to promote trade liberalization including the TPP and praised the ambassadors’ dialogue to help raise American public awareness of trade, investment and employment opportunities provided by the TPP.

The New Democrat Coalition of the US House of Representatives was founded in 1997, including many democrats who advocate trade liberalization. The coalition has 51 members, mostly coming from the biggest states.