​Vietnam addressing US trade, investment concerns to strengthen partnership

​Vietnam addressing US trade, investment concerns to strengthen partnership

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that Vietnam is actively working to resolve current U.S. concerns in economic, trade, and investment relations, ensuring these areas remain a highlight and driving force in their bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) meets with U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper in Hanoi, March 13, 2025. Photo: Vietnam Government Portal

PM Chinh made the statement during his meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper in Hanoi on Thursday, where they discussed priority areas to promote bilateral cooperation, marking the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

At the meeting, the PM appreciated Ambassador Knapper's efforts in promoting the comprehensive strategic partnership, including maintaining high-level contacts, notably the successful phone talks between Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam and U.S. President Donald Trump before and after the U.S. presidential election.

PM Chinh reiterated that Vietnam always considers the U.S. a strategically important partner and expressed the desire to closely cooperate with President Trump's administration to enhance the comprehensive strategic partnership.

Highlighting economic and trade ties as a driving force in relations, Chinh noted that Vietnam is actively working to address U.S. concerns.

He announced that Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien has been dispatched as a special envoy to the U.S. to meet with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson L. Greer and co-chair the Vietnam-U.S. Trade and Investment Framework Agreement Council meeting.

Vietnam is also reviewing import tariffs on U.S. goods, with the aim of boosting the importation of U.S. products where Vietnam has demand, particularly agricultural goods, liquefied natural gas, and high-tech products.

“Vietnam aims to establish balanced, stable, harmonious, and sustainable economic, trade, and investment relations with the U.S. for our mutual benefit,” Chinh said.

He assured that the Vietnamese government remains committed to accommodating U.S. businesses and investors in Vietnam.

In the context of both countries commemorating 30 years of diplomatic relations, PM Chinh suggested that Ambassador Knapper coordinate with relevant Vietnamese agencies to implement measures that deepen cooperative relations, including promoting high-level visits and contacts.

He also urged the U.S. to recognize Vietnam as a market economy and support the country's access to advanced U.S. technology.

The PM further highlighted the importance of U.S. assistance in addressing war legacies, such as dioxin cleanup at Bien Hoa Airport in southern Dong Nai Province, aid for people with disabilities, support in locating fallen Vietnamese soldiers, and strengthening DNA identification efforts for Vietnamese war martyrs.

Ambassador Knapper welcomed the progress in bilateral relations, underscoring that the U.S. remains committed to fostering a strong, independent, and prosperous Vietnam. He reiterated Washington’s respect for Vietnam’s political system, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

Knapper highlighted U.S. priorities in expanding cooperation in defense, security, education, and workforce development, particularly in training high-quality personnel for Vietnam’s semiconductor industry. He also noted U.S. interest in collaborating on rare mineral extraction and nuclear energy research.

Emphasizing the significance of 2025 in bilateral relations, Ambassador Knapper said that the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi will collaborate with Vietnamese agencies to build an effective agenda, thereby deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership.

The ambassador pledged to work closely with Vietnamese agencies to develop an effective agenda that further strengthens cooperation.

Economic ties between the two countries continue to expand, with bilateral trade surpassing US$132 billion in 2024.

Vietnam’s exports to the U.S. rose 23.3 percent compared to 2023, while U.S. exports to Vietnam grew 7.3 percent, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

By the end of 2024, Vietnam had become Washington's eighth-largest trading partner globally and fourth-largest within ASEAN, while the U.S. remained Hanoi's second-largest trading partner and its top export market.

Since normalizing diplomatic relations in 1995, the two countries have steadily strengthened their partnership, culminating in the elevation to a comprehensive strategic partnership in September 2023 during then-U.S. President Joe Biden’s visit to Vietnam.

Tuoi Tre News