Addressing a meeting with ministries and government agencies to review preparations for trade negotiations with the US in Hanoi on April 29, Chinh noted that the agencies have promptly responded to directives from the Party Central Committee, the Politburo, and Party General Secretary To Lam regarding adaptation to the US’ new tariff policies.

However, while progress has been positive, he warned, the situation remains complex, requiring the agencies to stay alert, react swiftly and effectively, and resolve issues within their authority.

According to the PM, Vietnam has been actively addressing key areas of concern to the US, including product origin, non-tariff barriers, intellectual property, copyright, and administrative reform. He instructed the ministries and agencies to clearly explain Vietnam’s ongoing reforms to the US side and to approach negotiations with calm, persistence, and flexibility.

He urged swift conclusion of purchase agreements by May 2025 for key US exports such as LNG, aircraft, pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and agricultural products, aimed at achieving sustainable trade balance. The talks, he emphasised, must prioritize national sovereignty, security, and interests, and uphold Vietnam’s international commitments.

In his view, Vietnam is also calling for mutual reduction of import tariffs and has requested that the US recognize Vietnam as a market economy and lift restrictions on high-tech exports – the steps that would help improve trade balance and promote technology transfer.

To meet US concerns, the Vietnamese government will continue amending its legal framework, including intellectual property and copyright laws, with many revisions to be submitted at the upcoming ninth National Assembly session, he said.

The PM reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to close coordination with ASEAN and regional partners to ensure mutual benefits in trade negotiations with the US, in line with the ASEAN-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

He directed each ministry and agency to draft specific negotiation plans and assigned the Ministry of Industry and Trade to compile and submit a full set of proposals by April 30.

USTR acknowledges Vietnam’s goodwill toward bilateral trade issues

VOV.VN - The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has hailed the outcome of the recent virtual meeting between USTR representative Jamieson Greer and Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, acknowledging Vietnam’s goodwill toward addressing trade issues between the two countries.