Vietnam and the United States Launch Bilateral Trade Negotiations

Minister of Industry and Trade, Head of the Government Negotiation Delegation, Mr. Nguyễn Hồng Diên, affirmed:
"Vietnam’s ministries and sectors are ready to negotiate and address issues of concern to the United States, and work together to find reasonable solutions that are mutually beneficial, based on the principle of harmonized interests and shared risks."

Minister of Industry and Trade and Head of the Government Negotiation Delegation Nguyễn Hồng Diên. Photo: MOIT.

According to the Department of Foreign Market Development, on the evening of April 23, 2025, Minister of Industry and Trade and Head of the Government Negotiation Delegation Nguyễn Hồng Diên held a phone conversation with United States Trade Representative Jamieson L. Greer to officially launch bilateral economic and trade negotiations between Vietnam and the United States.

This was an important working session to discuss principles, scope, and the roadmap for the negotiations. The call was attended by members of the Government Negotiation Delegation and technical-level representatives from relevant ministries and agencies.

Minister Nguyễn Hồng Diên holds a phone conversation with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson L. Greer. Photo: MOIT.

During the call, Minister of Industry and Trade and Head of the Government Negotiation Delegation Nguyễn Hồng Diên emphasized that Vietnam highly values the development of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the United States.
He expressed Vietnam’s desire to promote economic and trade relations with the United States in a balanced, stable, sustainable, and effective manner.
Vietnam’s ministries and agencies are ready to engage in negotiations to address issues of U.S. concern and work together with the United States to find reasonable solutions that are mutually beneficial, based on the spirit of harmonized interests and shared risks.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson L. Greer. Photo: MOIT.

On his part, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson L. Greer highly appreciated the agreement between the two countries to initiate negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement. He expressed confidence that both sides would soon reach appropriate solutions to promote stable and mutually beneficial economic and trade relations.

At the conclusion of the working session, both Heads of Delegation agreed to maintain regular communication at both the Head of Delegation level and technical levels to expedite the negotiation process on specific issues.

On April 12, 2025, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính signed Decision No. 753/QĐ-TTg to establish the Government Negotiation Delegation for trade matters with the United States.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyễn Hồng Diên was appointed Head of the Delegation, while Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyễn Sinh Nhật Tân was assigned as Deputy Head.

Other members of the Delegation include:

• Deputy Minister of Finance Cao Anh Tuấn

• Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Hoàng Trung

• Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Phạm Đức Long

• Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Đỗ Hùng Việt

• Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam Phạm Quang Dũng

• Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Nguyễn Bá Hoan

• Ambassador of Vietnam to the United States Nguyễn Quốc Dũng

The Ministry of Industry and Trade serves as the standing agency of the Negotiation Delegation and also leads the Task Force, composed of officials from relevant ministries and agencies. The Head of the Delegation will submit the Working Regulations of the Delegation and the Task Force to the Prime Minister for promulgation.

The primary task of the Negotiation Delegation is to coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors to develop scenarios and negotiation plans with the United States for a reciprocal trade agreement, ensuring the principles of national interests, shared risks, and harmonized benefits.

Negotiations with the United States aim to reach an agreement that is balanced, stable, sustainable, effective, mutually respectful, and beneficial to both sides. The Delegation will report to the Prime Minister on the negotiation progress and outcomes and propose necessary measures and policies to implement the agreement after its signing.

Source: VnEconomy