Vietnam and New Zealand strengthen cooperation and close coordination within trade frameworks

On the morning of April 10, at the request of New Zealand, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a phone call with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to discuss bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Prime Minister at the phone call (Photo: TRAN HAI).

During the phone call, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh once again expressed his joy and appreciation for the results achieved in the past. official visit to Vietnam by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in February 2025; especially the two sides issued a Joint Statement upgrading relations to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The Prime Minister suggested that the two sides continue to actively coordinate in developing an Action Program to implement the new relationship framework, contributing to realizing the commitments and agreements reached as well as the contents of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The Prime Minister informed about Vietnam's efforts in discussing with the US side regarding the issue of reciprocal taxes, including a phone call between General Secretary To Lam and US President Donald Trump on April 4, the measures Vietnam has implemented to facilitate the promotion of two-way trade between Vietnam and the United States, as well as measures to support businesses in adapting to the situation, such as preferential interest rates, credit package support, tax and fee reductions, administrative cost reductions...

Scene of the phone call. (Photo: TRAN HAI)

The Prime Minister emphasized that, in the face of fluctuations in the international economic and trade situation, Vietnam remains calm, neither panic nor negligent, and is ready to proactively adapt in any circumstances. Vietnam's motto is to persevere, proactively dialogue, and cooperate with the United States and partners to resolve difficulties and obstacles in the spirit of harmonious interests, shared risks, and avoid confrontation, which further complicates the situation. The Prime Minister also emphasized that this is an opportunity for Vietnam to promote economic restructuring, green and digital transformation, find new growth drivers, and continue to diversify potential markets for exporting goods.

The Prime Minister highly appreciated the positive developments, including President Donald Trump's recent announcement to suspend reciprocal tariffs on many trade partners for 90 days; emphasizing that Vietnam will continue to actively discuss with relevant US agencies towards a trade cooperation framework that ensures the harmonious interests of both sides, ensuring the legitimate interests of the people and businesses of the two countries.

The Prime Minister emphasized that in the current context, countries need to promote dialogue and mutual understanding, and strengthen cooperation within multilateral economic linkage frameworks. In that spirit, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh suggested that Vietnam and New Zealand increase information exchange, cooperation and close coordination within trade frameworks to which the two countries are members, including the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA), the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP); as well as further strengthen bilateral trade and investment cooperation in the spirit of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership; continue to diversify import and export goods of the two sides, aiming for a trade turnover of 3 billion USD by 2026.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon highly appreciated the opinions shared by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh; emphasized that Vietnam and New Zealand have a common interest in ensuring the international trade system and supply chains are not disrupted, ensuring stable growth and prosperity of each country as well as globally. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon agreed to strengthen cooperation between the two countries both bilaterally and multilaterally in the coming time.

The two leaders also agreed to continue promoting ASEAN's central role in regional issues, contributing to maintaining an open, inclusive, fair and rules-based multilateral trading system.

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