Vietnam-US Cooperation: From Growth to New Challenges

On December 10th, in Ho Chi Minh City, the Department of Foreign Market Development (Ministry of Industry and Trade) collaborated with the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam to organize the Vietnam-US Trade Forum 2025.

The Vietnam-US Trade Forum 2025, themed “30 Years of Economic and Trade Cooperation – Overcoming Challenges, Entering a New Era,” takes place against the backdrop of the Vietnam-US relationship continuing to develop positively, becoming increasingly deeper and more substantive, especially in the economic, trade, and investment pillars.

Delegates focused on analyzing the impact of tariff policies and trade defense measures on exports and investment at the forum. Photo: Thuc Vy.

Three decades after the normalization of relations and 25 years of implementing the BTA, bilateral trade has grown significantly in both scale and quality, becoming a crucial driver of economic growth, job creation, and strengthening supply chain linkages between the two highly complementary economies.

At the forum, experts, policymakers, and business representatives engaged in frank discussions about emerging challenges in bilateral trade relations. Notably, these included the trend of adjusting US trade policy, the increase in tariffs and trade protection measures, and the growing demands related to technical standards, sustainable development, and supply chain transparency.

Against the backdrop of profound changes in the global economy and trade, opinions expressed at the forum emphasized the need to strengthen policy dialogue, build trust, and enhance coordination among parties to maintain the foundation of long-term bilateral economic and trade cooperation. At the same time, Vietnam and the US need to effectively leverage opportunities arising from the restructuring of global supply chains and proactively adapt to the rapid changes in the international policy environment.

Experts, policymakers, and business community representatives engaged in frank discussions about emerging challenges in bilateral trade relations. Photo: Thuc Vy.

The highlight of the forum was an in-depth discussion on 30 years of the Vietnam-US economic and trade pillar, with the participation of former high-ranking diplomatic leaders, heads of the negotiating teams for the Bilateral Trade Agreement, policy experts, and representatives of key industry associations.

The presentations provided a comprehensive analysis of the development of bilateral economic relations, highlighting outstanding achievements while also identifying structural issues that need continued attention in the coming period. In addition, the roundtable discussion on US trade policy and its implications for Vietnam created a space for open and substantive exchange between government agencies, the business community, and export associations.

Delegates focused on analyzing the impact of tariff policies and trade defense measures on exports and investment, while proposing solutions to enhance policy adaptability, diversify markets, and strengthen the competitiveness of Vietnamese businesses.

Speaking at the forum, Dr. Tran Toan Thang, Head of the International and Integration Policy Department at the Institute of Economic and Financial Strategy and Policy, stated that the US tariff policy not only impacts trade but also affects investment, capital flows, monetary policy, and long-term strategic goals.

According to him, diversifying export markets and products, reducing dependence on a single market, upgrading the value chain, and boosting investment in technology and innovation are key directions for Vietnamese businesses to turn challenges into opportunities and achieve sustainable growth.

From a state management perspective, representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Trade assessed that the Vietnam-US Trade Forum 2025 contributes to deepening common understanding, promoting connections and substantive cooperation among stakeholders. This supports proactive adaptation to policy adjustments and new challenges. Simultaneously, it expands the scope for cooperation and strengthens the foundation for the stable, sustainable, and mutually beneficial development of Vietnam-US economic and trade relations in the next phase.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/hop-tac-viet-nam-hoa-ky-tu-tang-truong-den-thach-thuc-moi-d788686.html