Vietnam - US maintain exchanges, move towards reciprocal trade agreement

The Ministry of Industry and Trade said that on the evening of October 14, Vietnam time, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan, Deputy Head of the Government Negotiation Delegation on the Reciprocal Trade Agreement with the United States, had an online phone call with Mr. Bryan R. Switzer, the new Deputy United States Trade Representative (Deputy USTR) in a frank, open and constructive atmosphere.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan. Photo: VNA

Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan sent congratulations to Mr. Bryan R. Switzer on the occasion of being approved by the US Senate to hold the position of Deputy US Trade Representative from September 19, 2025.

During the phone call, the two sides expressed their delight at the fact that, after 30 years of establishing diplomatic relations, 10 years of establishing the Comprehensive Partnership and more than 2 years of upgrading to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the Vietnam-US relationship has been developing positively and substantially in all fields. In particular, economic-trade-investment cooperation continues to be the main pillar and key driving force promoting the overall bilateral relationship.

By 2024, two-way trade turnover will reach nearly 150 billion USD; the United States will become Vietnam's second largest trading partner and one of the most important export markets, and rank 11th out of 142 countries and territories investing in Vietnam.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan affirmed that Vietnam always considers the United States as a top important strategic partner; at the same time, he emphasized that Vietnam wishes to continue to closely coordinate with the United States to promote the negotiation process of the Reciprocal Trade Agreement in a fair, balanced and mutually beneficial direction, thereby enhancing understanding, consolidating strategic trust and contributing to maintaining stability and sustainable development in bilateral relations.

On the US side, Deputy Trade Representative Bryan R. Switzer shared a positive assessment of the current cooperation process, saying that although there are still some technical issues that need to be further discussed, negotiations between the two sides are proceeding smoothly with effective coordination at all levels - from the Minister, Deputy Head of the Negotiating Delegation to technical expert groups.

The two sides agreed to continue to maintain regular exchanges and work towards reaching a reciprocal trade agreement that is in line with the interests and priorities of both countries.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/viet-nam-hoa-ky-duy-tri-trao-doi-huong-toi-thoa-thuan-thuong-mai-doi-ung-20251015170626508.htm