The calls took place during the Vietnamese leader’s trip to Washington, D.C., where he is scheduled to attend the opening meeting of the Gaza Peace Council at the invitation of US President Donald Trump.

In his conversation with Senator Steve Daines, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Party chief To Lam expressed appreciation for the senator’s congratulatory message on the success of Vietnam’s 14th National Party Congress. The Congress set out development goals aimed at transforming Vietnam into an upper-middle-income developing country with modern industry by 2030 and a developed economy by 2045.

He also welcomed Daines’ efforts in promoting the US Senate resolution commemorating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Vietnam, describing it as a demonstration of bipartisan support for bilateral ties.

Reviewing progress in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the Vietnamese leader underscored the importance of maintaining high-level exchanges and strengthening parliamentary cooperation. He called for stable and sustainable economic, trade and investment ties, and urged continued US congressional support for war legacy cooperation, including dioxin remediation at Bien Hoa Airbase, unexploded ordnance clearance, assistance for persons with disabilities and war victims, and efforts to locate and identify missing Vietnamese soldiers.

Party chief To Lam reaffirmed Vietnam’s continued full and responsible cooperation with the United States in accounting for US service members missing in action.

Daines, for his part, congratulated To Lam on his re-election as General Secretary and recalled positive impressions from his visit to Vietnam in March 2025. He praised Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements and noted that the United States has become Vietnam’s second largest trading partner. Daines described Vietnam as an important economic partner in the region and expressed hope that the two countries would soon finalise a reciprocal trade agreement.

He reiterated strong bipartisan congressional support for the bilateral relationship and agreed on the importance of sustained high-level exchanges. The two sides also discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern, with Daines welcoming Vietnam’s active and responsible role in international forums.

In a separate call with Senator Bill Hagerty, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee, Party chief To Lam highlighted the successful convening of the 14th National Party Congress as a milestone opening a new phase of national development.

He reaffirmed Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development, alongside multilateralisation and diversification of external relations. Vietnam, he said, seeks to further implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the United States in a substantive and effective manner.

Both sides welcomed the growing political trust and expanding economic, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.

Party leader To Lam described war legacy cooperation as a “bright spot” in bilateral ties and called for continued US support in dioxin remediation, unexploded ordnance clearance and assistance to war victims.

For his part, Hagerty commended Vietnam’s increasing regional and global role and expressed support for further deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on the basis of shared interests. He noted progress in negotiations toward a fair and balanced reciprocal trade agreement, and believed that, with openness and mutual respect, the agreement could be concluded in the near future.

Hagerty also thanked Vietnam for its active and responsible cooperation in accounting for US personnel missing in action. He affirmed that the US Congress and government would continue working closely with Vietnam on war legacy issues. He expressed hope to visit Vietnam again soon and extended New Year greetings to the Vietnamese leader and people on the occasion of the Lunar New Year.

Party leader To Lam arrives in US for Gaza Board of Peace meeting

VOV.VN - At noon on February 18 (local time), Party General Secretary To Lam and his delegation arrived at Joint Base Andrews in the US to attend the opening meeting of the Board of Peace for Gaza, at the invitation of US President Donald Trump, the founding chairman of the board, from February 18 to 20.