Deputy Minister Phan Thi Thang holds a virtual meeting with Argentina’s Secretary of State.

On April 23, 2026, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Deputy Minister Phan Thi Thang held a virtual meeting with Fernando Brun, Secretary of State for International Economic Relations under Argentina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship. The Vietnamese side included representatives from the Department of Foreign Market Development, the Multilateral Trade Policy Department, the Trade Promotion Agency, and the Impor - Export Department.

Deputy Minister Phan Thi Thang holds a virtual meeting with Argentina’s Secretary of State. Photo: Dieu Linh

During the meeting, both sides reviewed progress in bilateral economic and trade cooperation, as well as potential opportunities for collaboration in 2026. According to data from the Vietnam Customs, bilateral trade turnover between Vietnam and Argentina reached USD 4.3 billion in 2025, up 4.1% compared to 2024. Deputy Minister Phan Thi Thang welcomed the official launch of PTA negotiations between Vietnam and MERCOSUR in December 2025 and called on Argentina, in its role as MERCOSUR’s coordinator for the negotiations, to accelerate efforts toward the early conclusion of the agreement.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade also updated the implementation status of outcomes from the 8th session of the Vietnam - Argentina Intergovernmental Committee on Economic, Trade and Scientific-Technological Cooperation, including the completion of the first round of negotiations on the Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation, as well as ongoing work related to market access for agricultural products and intellectual property.

To further enhance trade and investment ties and strengthen business connectivity, Deputy Minister Phan Thi Thang proposed that Argentina organize business delegations to participate in major trade promotion events, exhibitions, and fairs in Vietnam, particularly the Vietnam International Sourcing exhibition scheduled for September 2026.

Deputy Minister Phan Thi Thang discusses issues related to agricultural market access and intellectual property. Photo: Dieu Linh

For his part, Secretary of State Fernando Brun affirmed that Vietnam is a priority partner in Argentina’s “Look East” policy toward the Asia-Pacific region. He also noted Argentina’s interest in and consideration of applying for membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Virtual meeting with Fernando Brun, Secretary of State for International Economic Relations under Argentina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship. Photo: Dieu Linh

He praised the outcomes of the 8th session of the Intergovernmental Committee and reaffirmed Argentina’s commitment to closely coordinate with Vietnam in advancing PTA negotiations between Vietnam and MERCOSUR toward concrete results in the near future.