Vietnam - New Zealand discuss directions for expanding CPTPP

On the morning of November 20, in Melbourne (Australia), Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien had a working session with New Zealand Minister of Trade Todd McClay.

Within the framework of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership ( CPTPP ) Ministerial Council meeting , Minister Nguyen Hong Dien had a bilateral meeting with New Zealand Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay. Attending the meeting were representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Public Security and leaders of a number of units under the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Vietnam's Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and New Zealand's Minister of Trade Todd McClay.

The two Ministers spent time discussing issues of mutual concern such as the US's reciprocal tax policy and the expansion of CPTPP membership and negotiations to upgrade some contents in the CPTPP.

Minister McClay shared some information and New Zealand's approach to the US's reciprocal tax policy. Regarding membership expansion, Minister McClay said that starting negotiations with a number of economies is necessary and important for the CPTPP Agreement in the current context. He also proposed a solution to help deal with the problem of limited resources in case CPTPP members agree to start negotiations with many economies. Regarding the negotiation to upgrade the CPTPP Agreement, Minister McClay suggested building a comprehensive agenda, covering the contents that members are interested in.

The two Ministers spent time discussing issues of mutual concern.

Minister Nguyen Hong Dien acknowledged and appreciated the information and opinions provided by Minister McClay. The Minister emphasized that although membership expansion is important, CPTPP members should first pay attention to implementation to optimize existing opportunities. The Minister suggested studying and developing a transparent, objective, predictable membership admission process that is consistent with the provisions and consensus principles of CPTPP. In addition, CPTPP members need to agree on a coordination mechanism and reasonable resource allocation to be able to handle the accession negotiations of many economies. Regarding the negotiation to upgrade the CPTPP Agreement, the Minister affirmed that the negotiation must be based on the principle of balance, taking into account the views and interests of all members.

Minister Nguyen Hong Dien emphasized that although expanding membership is important, CPTPP members first need to pay attention to implementation to optimize existing opportunities.

At the end of the meeting, the two Ministers agreed to assign technical levels to continue exchanging and coordinating with CPTPP members to promote discussions on issues of mutual concern, especially in 2026 when Vietnam is the CPTPP Chair.

Nguyen Minh from Melbourne, Australia

Source: https://congthuong.vn/viet-nam-new-zealand-thao-luan-huong-mo-rong-cptpp-431297.html