The government leader said that Vietnam-US relations have seen great developments and brought practical benefits to both nations over the past 15 years since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties.

The US is now one of Vietnam’s biggest trade partners and ranks 6th among foreign investors in the Southeast Asian country, he said.

Mr Dung told his guest that the signing of the Vietnam-US Free Trade Agreement and Vietnam’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) provide important conditions for the two countries to expand trade and investment ties.

However, he said, the US has recently discriminated against a number of Vietnamese products, especially its tra (pangasius) fish. The US has yet to apply the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) to products imported from Vietnam, while already granting GSP status to other ASEAN nations.
Regarding education and training, PM Dung urged the US and the State of Washington in particular to open more training establishments in Vietnam. He expressed hope that Washington would continue to provide favourable conditions for overseas Vietnamese who are studying and living in the state.

Governor Gregoire said her state wants to build prosperous and long-term relationships with the cities and provinces of Vietnam. She said she believes the two sides will soon consider and deal with the outstanding economic barriers on the basis of friendship, mutual understanding and respect for each other’s opinions. Gregoire thanked the Vietnamese Government for having facilitated the flow of US goods into the Vietnamese market.

VNA