Ministerial-level negotiation session on the Vietnam - US Bilateral reciprocal trade agreement
Vietnam and the US enhance cooperation at the 8th ministerial talks in Washington D.C., advancing a balanced, mutually beneficial bilateral trade partnership.
On November 10, in Washington, D.C., a negotiation session took place between Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, Head of the Government Negotiation Delegation, and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Head of the US Negotiation Delegation.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
The session was part of the ongoing bilateral negotiations on the reciprocal trade agreement between Vietnam and the US.
This was the eighth ministerial-level direct negotiation between the two sides, held right before the official technical-level negotiations scheduled for November 12 - 14, in Washington, D.C. In an open, frank and constructive atmosphere, the two ministers exchanged views and identified orientations for resolving major outstanding issues, while also discussing matters related to bilateral trade relations.
At the beginning of the session, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer reviewed the work that both sides had implemented and highly appreciated the two countries’ agreement on the Joint Statement on the Framework for a Fair and Balanced Reciprocal Trade Agreement, considering it an important basis for accelerating and completing the negotiation process. He also valued Vietnam’s goodwill, systematic approach and problem-solving manner toward the proposals raised by the US, while recognizing the efforts and constructive spirit of the Vietnamese negotiation delegation. He provided frank and rather positive feedback on a number of Vietnam’s proposals.
Overview of the negotiation session.
For Vietnam’s part, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien emphasized the country’s determination to build a balanced and sustainable economic and trade relationship with the US, and informed his counterpart of various proactive measures Vietnam had undertaken recently to promote bilateral trade. The minister affirmed that completing the reciprocal trade agreement would further strengthen bilateral relations not only in trade but also in many other areas, in line with the Vietnam - US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
On that basis, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien made several proposals to help accelerate the negotiation process. He also suggested that both sides adopt a practical and flexible approach for the mutual benefit of the two countries. These proposals were acknowledged by US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who assigned the US technical team to study and discuss them further with the Vietnamese side.
The two ministers agreed that this negotiation session was of great significance in addressing the remaining issues, with a view to soon finalizing the reciprocal trade agreement for the benefit of both Vietnam and the US.
