Vietnam News Today (Jun 20): Vietnam – US reciprocal trade agreement negotiations make significant progress

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Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien (second from left) holds a negotiation session with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Ambassador Jamieson Greer, US Trade Representative, on the afternoon of June 12 (local time) in the US. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam – US reciprocal trade agreement negotiations make significant progress

At the third round of negotiations on a bilateral reciprocal trade agreement between Vietnam and the US, held in Washington D.C. from June 9 – 12, the Vietnamese delegation made substantial progress and narrowed differences across all areas under discussion, Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang said at the ministry’s regular press briefing on June 19.

Responding to a reporter's question about the third round of talks, Hang stated that during the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.

The Vietnamese delegation reaffirmed its commitment to building balanced and sustainable economic and trade relations with the US for the benefit of the two countries’ people and businesses. Both delegations agreed to assign technical-level teams to continue discussions, aiming to reach an agreement that meets the expectations and conditions of both Vietnam and the US, cited VNA.

Also at the briefing, when asked about the US Department of State's announcement on June 18 regarding the resumption of visa processing for international students, Hang said the ministry and Vietnamese representative agencies in the US are seeking further information on the matter.

She expressed her hope that the US's student visa process would proceed smoothly, meeting the legitimate needs and aspirations of international students, including those from Vietnam.

Vietnam deepens global cooperation as BRICS Partner Country

Vietnam is ready to join BRICS member countries and the international community to strengthen cooperation and mobilise resources to promote priority issues for developing countries today, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, while harnessing scientific and technological advances for development, as well as people-to-people exchanges, toward achieving sustainable development goals and addressing common global challenges, said spokesperson Pham Thu Hang.

Vietnam is also prepared to coordinate and link BRICS cooperation programmes with related multilateral mechanisms, thereby contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and globally, said the spokesperson at a regular press briefing in Hanoi on June 19.

Previously, on June 14, in response to questions about Brazil’s announcement that Vietnam officially became a BRICS Partner Country, the spokesperson emphasized that Vietnam has been and will continue to make practical contributions at multilateral mechanisms, organizations, and forums.

Alongside active participation in multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, ASEAN, APEC, the expanded G7, the expanded G20, and the OECD, she said, Vietnam’s partnership with BRICS reflects its desire to enhance the voice and role of developing countries, promote international solidarity, and uphold inclusive multilateralism based on respect for international law, according to VOV.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang. (Photo: MOFA)

The Partner Country status was established at the 16th BRICS Summit held in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024. It is reserved for countries that are not full BRICS members but enjoy the support of existing member states.

Partner Countries are typically invited to attend BRICS leaders’ summits and may also participate in other discussions, subject to consensus among member states.

Founded in 2009 with four initial members, namely Brazil, Russia, India, and China, BRICS has later expanded to include South Africa, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Indonesia. Its cooperation is structured around three main pillars: political and security cooperation, economic and financial collaboration, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

Vietnam Goods Week opens in Japan’s Saitama prefecture

A “Vietnam Goods Week” at Japan’s AEON retail system officially opened in Saitama prefecture on June 19.

This large-scale event is part of the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade’s project on promoting Vietnamese enterprises’ direct participation in foreign distribution networks by 2030.

In her opening remarks, Deputy Minister Phan Thi Thang shared that Vietnamese enterprises are continuously transforming towards green and sustainable development, from circular production and use of environmentally friendly materials to saving energy and ensuring social responsibility throughout the supply chain.

These values align well with new consumer trends, especially in the Japanese market where quality, transparency, and environmental commitment are top priorities, stressed Thang.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu remarked that the “Vietnam Goods Week”, held for nine consecutive years in Japan, demonstrates the growing cooperation between AEON Group and Vietnamese partners - a vivid testament to the extensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan in the fields of economy, trade, and investment.

Hieu appreciated AEON’s pioneering role in supporting Vietnamese goods to penetrate the Japanese market. He noted that AEON is not only a strategic partner but also a vital bridge connecting Vietnamese products with Japanese consumers through its modern and professional distribution system.

Fresh Vietnamese lychees are being sold at an Aeon supermarket in Japan. (Photo: VNA)

The diplomat expressed his hope that through this event, high-quality, safe, and culturally distinctive Vietnamese products, ranging from food and consumer goods to organic and environmentally friendly items, will continue to be introduced to Japanese consumers. He also emphasised that this is a valuable opportunity for Vietnamese businesses to access the Japanese market, learn from its experience, enhance their competitiveness, and pursue sustainable development.

This year’s “Vietnam Goods Week” marks a significant milestone as it is being held simultaneously for the first time in four locations across Asia: Japan, Hong Kong (China), Cambodia, and Malaysia, from June 19 - 22. The event aims to expand market reach and enhance the presence of Vietnamese products in the Asian region through AEON’s global distribution network, reported VNA.

At the main venue in Japan, the “Vietnam Goods Week” is taking place at 360 AEON supermarkets, featuring hundreds of product lines across various categories such as farm produce, processed food, aquatic products, textiles and garments, household items, healthcare products, and handicrafts.

This year’s event also includes traditional Vietnamese dishes such as ‘pho’ (noodle), ‘bun’ (vermicelli), bread, and other popular street foods, which are being freshly prepared and served at open kitchen areas within the supermarkets. Among the featured product lines, fresh Vietnamese fruits continue to attract strong interest and popularity among Japanese consumers.

Vietnam pushes for regional trade connectivity at China expo

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha emphasised the importance of promoting linkages and sharing opportunities for harmonious, sustainable, and inclusive development among economies while addressing the 9th China-South Asia Expo and the 29th Kunming Import and Export Fair in Kunming on June 19.

Ha highly appreciated the role of the China-South Asia Expo and the Kunming Import and Export Fair in enhancing cooperation and sharing development opportunities among the economies of ASEAN, South Asia, and China. He also praised China’s consistent commitment to multilateralism, free trade, and efforts to strengthen strategic development, connectivity and regional integration.

Highlighting the significance of international solidarity, global cooperation, and multilateralism, he called on all parties to enhance the government’s constructive role, strengthen dialogue, and consolidate a rules-based, open, free, fair, and transparent multilateral trading system that supports mutual assistance.

This would help maintain complementary supply and production chains that are mutually beneficial and facilitate closer cooperation between businesses and peoples among these countries, he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister urged all parties to work together to remove bottlenecks and barriers in regional supply chains, expand market access opportunities for each other’s goods, enhance smart customs cooperation, mutually recognize standards, and minimize unnecessary protectionist barriers to promote trade and investment among the countries.

He introduced Vietnam’s economic potential and advantages along with recent strong reform steps focused on four pillars of science – technology and innovation; international integration, legal reform and enforcement, as well as private sector development, cited VOV.

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha speaks at the 9th China-South Asia Expo and the 29th Kunming Import and Export Fair in Kunming on June 19.

Vietnam will continue to strengthen comprehensive cooperation with China and other countries in the region, intensify trade and investment promotion, increase infrastructure connectivity, expand people-to-people exchanges, and develop tourism for the prosperous development of the region and the benefit of businesses and citizens in each country, he affirmed.

At the opening ceremony, Wang Dongming, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of National People’s Congress of China, affirmed China’s desire to closely link its development with that of South and Southeast Asian countries.

China is always a reliable and sincere friend and partner of South and Southeast Asian countries, he said.

After the opening ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha also toured several Vietnamese pavilions at the fair.

Nearly 70 Vietnamese enterprises are showcasing products such as seafood, cashew nuts, pepper, coffee, dragon fruit, cassava chips, coconut processed products, footwear, perfumes, and wooden products at the event.

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