On April 10 (local time), Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc had working sessions with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
At a meeting with Finance Minister Scott Bessent, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to developing the comprehensive strategic partnership with the US, and wishes to promote economic and trade relations in a balanced, harmonious and sustainable manner.
The Deputy Prime Minister appreciated the fact that the two sides agreed to initiate negotiations on a reciprocal trade agreement, including agreements on tariffs.
Affirming that Vietnam is ready for negotiations, the Deputy Prime Minister suggested that the two sides soon discuss specific issues to reach an agreement as soon as possible, thereby contributing to promoting stable and sustainable development of economic and trade relations, meeting the interests of the people and businesses of the two countries.
Finance Minister Scott Bessent was delighted to meet Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc. He said he had visited Vietnam and had many good impressions and memories of the country and people of Vietnam.
Minister Bessent thanked Vietnam for promptly taking positive measures to address issues of concern to the US; appreciated the two countries' agreement to negotiate a bilateral trade agreement; and said that the US government appointed him as head of the negotiating delegation with Vietnam.
The Minister expressed his belief that the two sides will soon reach appropriate solutions to promote stable and mutually beneficial economic and trade relations.
On the social media platform X, Finance Minister Scott Bessent also reported on his meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc. He stressed the need to maintain ongoing dialogue and make rapid, tangible progress to resolve outstanding issues.
The US Treasury Department website also posted information about the meeting, "during the discussions, Secretary Bessent emphasized the importance of maintaining dialogue with trading partners, as well as the need to make rapid, clear progress to resolve outstanding issues," the website said.
The US Department of Commerce will work closely with Vietnam to negotiate
At the meeting with Minister of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc said that the two sides' agreement to start negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement is extremely important, in line with the framework of the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Emphasizing the significance of the two countries celebrating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations (1995-2025), the Deputy Prime Minister expressed his delight at the positive development of bilateral relations and hoped that the two sides would continue to closely coordinate to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, in which economic, trade and investment cooperation is an important pillar.
The Deputy Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam's consistent policy is to maintain political, economic and social stability; build an independent and self-reliant economy, associated with proactive and active international integration, deeply, practically and effectively.
The Deputy Prime Minister asked the US Department of Commerce to closely coordinate with relevant Vietnamese ministries, sectors and agencies during the negotiation process.
Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick affirmed that he highly values the relationship with Vietnam, saying that Vietnam is a large economy with great potential and an important partner of the US in the region.
Minister Lutnick emphasized that the US currently prioritizes re-industrialization, bringing production back to the US, and ensuring fair trade.
The Minister affirmed that the US Department of Commerce will closely coordinate with Vietnam to negotiate and resolve issues arising in bilateral economic and trade relations, aiming for a suitable agreement, contributing to the development of both the US and Vietnam.
In recent days, during his working trip to the US as a special envoy of General Secretary To Lam, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc had many discussions and negotiations with the US Government to reach an agreement that the two countries will negotiate a bilateral trade agreement, in which the content on tariffs is an important pillar.
This is a very meaningful result in the context of the complicated global trade situation. This result was achieved based on the orientation of the important phone call between General Secretary To Lam and President Trump, just two days after the US announced the imposition of reciprocal tariffs, as well as after the Government's proactive and active efforts to promptly concretize the results of the phone call.
The working delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc has completed the tasks and goals assigned by the leaders of the Party, State and Government.
Under the Prime Minister's direction, on April 11, a Vietnamese negotiation delegation will be established to immediately exchange with the US negotiation delegation led by Finance Minister Bessent, aiming to soon reach a stable, sustainable, and mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement.
Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/bo-truong-tai-chinh-my-lam-truong-doan-dam-phan-thuong-mai-voi-viet-nam-2389994.html
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