Vietnam's Party leader To Lam supports more imports of US goods
Vietnam's Party leader To Lam supports more imports of US goods
Vietnam's Party General Secretary To Lam affirmed the country's efforts to address U.S. concerns in economic, trade, and investment relations by encouraging businesses to increase imports of American products that align with Vietnam's needs and the U.S.'s strengths.
Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam (R) shakes hands with U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper during their meeting in Hanoi, March 31, 2025. Photo: Vietnam News Agency |
Party chief Lam made this statement during a meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper in Hanoi on Monday, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the meeting, Lam requested that Knapper convey his warm regards and best wishes to President Donald Trump, congratulating the U.S. on its achievements under President Trump's leadership.
The Party leader acknowledged Ambassador Knapper's efforts, as well as those of the embassy's staff, in effectively implementing high-level agreements and fostering cooperation within the framework of the comprehensive strategic partnership.
Regarding economic, trade, and investment relations, Lam stated that Vietnamese ministries and agencies are proactively addressing U.S. concerns by encouraging local enterprises to increase imports of key U.S. products, especially agricultural goods, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and high-tech products.
He reiterated Vietnam's commitment to providing a favorable investment environment and supporting foreign businesses, particularly U.S. enterprises, according to the Vietnam News Agency.
Ambassador Knapper expressed his honor in meeting with Party General Secretary Lam again and thanked him for the time dedicated to engaging with U.S. business delegations and congressional leaders visiting Vietnam recently.
He affirmed that the Trump administration highly values the Vietnam-U.S. comprehensive strategic partnership and desires to further enhance cooperation.
The diplomat affirmed the U.S.'s support for a ‘strong, independent, prosperous, and self-reliant’ Vietnam, acknowledging its positive contributions to regional and global peace and stability.
He commended Vietnam's leadership for effectively addressing concerns raised by the Trump administration and implementing practical measures to promote a balanced and sustainable trade relationship.
U.S. businesses highly value economic, investment, and trade cooperation with Vietnam, considering Vietnam one of their key partners in the global supply chain and a highly-potential market, Knapper stated.
Previously, during a meeting with Ambassador Knapper on March 13, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also affirmed Vietnam's active efforts to resolve U.S. concerns in economic, trade, and investment relations.
Chinh stated that relevant ministries and agencies are actively reviewing import tariffs on U.S. goods and encouraging increased imports of U.S. products.
The prime minister also urged the U.S. to recognize Vietnam's market economy status and facilitate Vietnam's import of high-tech equipment from the U.S..
The economic ties between Vietnam and the U.S. continue to strengthen, with bilateral trade exceeding US$132 billion in 2024, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.
By the end of last year, Hanoi was Washington's eighth-largest trading partner globally and fourth-largest within ASEAN, while the U.S. remained Vietnam's second-largest trading partner and its top export market.
Vietnam and the U.S. normalized diplomatic relations in July 1995 and established a comprehensive partnership in July 2013.
On September 10, 2023, during then-U.S. President Joe Biden's official visit to Vietnam, the two countries elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, bypassing the strategic partnership level.
- 16:09 01/04/2025
