Promoting Vietnam - US agricultural cooperation: expanding a strategic pillar in bilateral relations
On the afternoon of March 25, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan held talks with US Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Luke Lindberg. The meeting was also attended by representatives from the Departments of Foreign Market Development, Multilateral Trade Policy, Oil and Coal, as well as the Trade Remedies Authority, the Import-Export Agency, and the Domestic Market Management and Development Agency.
Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan chair the reception for the delegation led by US Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Luke Lindberg.
The meeting took place in a positive and substantive atmosphere, reaffirming agriculture as one of the key pillars within the framework of the Vietnam - US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Both sides agreed on the complementary nature of their agricultural sectors. Vietnam holds strengths in tropical agricultural products, seafood, and wood products, while the US serves as a major supplier of key inputs such as soybeans, corn, wheat, and dairy. This trade structure creates a balanced supply chain with no direct competition, delivering tangible benefits to businesses and consumers in both countries.
Overview of the meeting between Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade and the US Department of Agriculture.
US Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Luke Lindberg affirmed that Vietnam is a strategic market attracting growing interest from the business community. The US Department of Agriculture’s plan to organize up to two large-scale agricultural trade missions in 2026 underscores the vast cooperation potential and strong growth prospects of the Vietnamese market. Notably, in 2025, US agricultural exports to Vietnam surged by a record 45%, with key commodities posting significant gains, corn up around 60%, soybeans over 40%, and cotton nearly 30%, highlighting Vietnam’s emergence as one of the most dynamic markets for US agricultural products.
Deputy Secretary Luke Lindberg discuss the potential for agricultural cooperation between the two countries.
Regarding new directions for cooperation, Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan noted that Vietnam is accelerating the rollout of E10 gasoline and moving toward E15 and E20 nationwide, thereby generating substantial demand for ethanol, corn, and cassava. The US expressed strong interest and readiness to support Vietnam in ensuring energy security, particularly in ethanol production and supply, while expanding agricultural cooperation linked to the green energy transition.
Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan and Deputy Secretary Luke Lindberg co-chair discussions on agricultural trade cooperation between the two countries.
Both sides agreed to maintain close technical-level exchanges, proactively address bottlenecks, and prepare for major upcoming cooperation initiatives. The meeting reaffirmed the positive momentum in bilateral collaboration, laying a foundation for agriculture to become a strategic growth driver, contributing to a deeper, more sustainable, and more effective Vietnam - US partnership in the years ahead.
