Vietnam considers US a leading partner in foreign policy

Receiving a delegation of US Senators led by Senator Mike Crapo in Hanoi on May 26, Hue also highly appreciated the US administration’s consistent support for a strong, independent, resilient and prosperous Vietnam.

He recalled recent contacts and exchanges between the two sides, including a phone call between Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and US President Joe Biden in March 2023 and a meeting between Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the expanded G7 Summit in Japan in May 2023, hoping the two sides would continue to promote high-level visits this year.

Vietnam appreciates the US strengthening cooperation with partners the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, thereby making more active contributions to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region, said Hue.

He expressed hope that the US, through new strategies and initiatives, would continue to demonstrate its strong commitment to upholding ASEAN centrality, the ASEAN-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, as well as the Mekong – US Partnership.

During the reception, the Vietnamese legislature leader and US Senators frankly discussed and highly agreed on cooperation issues between the two countries as well as the two legislative bodies in the coming time.

They agreed that economic cooperation remains a bright spot and a driving force for bilateral relations, with two-way trade turnover last year reaching a record of US$123 billion. Currently Vietnam is one of the eight largest trading partners of the US, while the US is Vietnam’s largest export market.

Hue suggested that the US Congress continue to support the maintenance of stable and long-term trade relations between the two countries, and at the same time create favourable conditions for Vietnamese agricultural products such as pangasius, shrimp, and fruit to enter the US market.

He requested that the US recognize Vietnam’s market economy regulation, explaining that the Southeast Asian economy has joined many new-generation Free Trade Agreements with very high market standards. Vietnam is committed to engaging deep in regional and international cooperation to promote linkages and economic recovery, and maintain peace and stability for cooperation.

He appreciated the two sides coordinating closely during the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) negotiations, as well as US efforts in promoting this framework.

Through this framework, Hue said Vietnam wishes to promote free, open and fair trade and maintain a multilateral trading system based on international law, contributing to driving growth and sustainable development, and bringing practical benefits to all in the region.

Senator Mike Crapo and other Senators affirmed that the US prioritises promoting economic and trade cooperation with Vietnam. They acknowledged Hue’s proposals and said the two countries need to ‘reverse’ the US investment position in Vietnam from No. 7 to No. 1.

The Senators appreciated Vietnam’s ongoing activities related to IPEF, and expected that all parties concerned would make positive progress on each pillar of this cooperation framework. They welcomed Vietnam’s approach to global trade issues, and wished to work with Vietnam to realize cooperation plans.

Also at the meeting, Hue voiced Vietnam’s support for the US in its role as the APEC Chair 2023, and hoped that the US would support Vietnam’s bid to host APEC Year 2027.

He appreciated the US supporting Vietnam and ASEAN’s stance regarding the East Sea, including ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight, and peaceful settlement of disputes on the basis of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and US Senators also agreed that cooperation in overcoming war consequences continues to be a bright spot in bilateral relations.

Senator Crapo and other members of the delegation affirmed that the US would promote more effective cooperation with Vietnam in this field.

The two sides expressed wish to further strengthen cooperation between the two legislative bodies through ramping up the exchange of delegations.

Hue on this occasion invited the US to attend the ninth Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians of the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) to be hosted by the National Assembly of Vietnam in September 2023 in Hanoi.