Vietnam-US Talks Resume in Washington
Overview of the Vietnam-US Trade Negotiations
From November 12 to 14 in Washington, D.C., Vietnam and the United States engaged in technical-level negotiations focused on the Fair and Balanced Reciprocal Trade Agreement. The talks were led by Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, who headed the Vietnamese delegation, and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The primary objective of the sessions was to advance discussions and explore solutions aimed at strengthening the bilateral trade framework.
The negotiations officially commenced on November 12 with a working session between Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan, deputy head of the Vietnamese delegation, and Deputy US Trade Representative Rick Switzer. This meeting took place at the Office of the US Trade Representative, marking the official start of the technical talks.
During the session, both sides maintained an open and constructive atmosphere, focusing on bilateral economic and trade relations. The discussions followed up on the outcomes from the eighth ministerial-level negotiations held on November 10 between Minister Nguyen Hong Dien and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan outlined key issues from the ministerial talks and agreed on specific topics for the technical negotiating teams to address. This ensured progress towards achieving the most effective results.
Deputy US Trade Representative Rick Switzer acknowledged the positive progress Vietnam has made in trade policy, institutional reforms, and international integration commitments. He also recognized the results of recent negotiating rounds, while reaffirming that close cooperation between the two sides would facilitate the negotiation process.
The two sides agreed to continue close coordination and enhance exchanges among the technical groups to advance negotiations on the Fair and Balanced Reciprocal Trade Agreement. This aligns with the guidance of senior leaders and ministers of both countries, with the goal of soon completing a new bilateral trade cooperation framework. This framework is expected to contribute to deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and the US.
Additional Meetings and Discussions
Immediately following the working session, the negotiating delegations of both countries promptly began work in their respective groups to negotiate the agreed-upon agenda items.
Later that afternoon, Minister Dien held a working session with Rock Bordelon, chairman, along with leaders Charles Paddock and Rodrigo Garza Perez of Gulf of America Energy Sourcing LLC (GAES), a US energy corporation headquartered in Louisiana.
Minister Dien also met with Joseph Damond, global chair of International Trade Policy and Science at Crowell Global Advisors. Damond previously served as Deputy US Trade Representative (1989-2001) and head of the Negotiating Delegation for the Vietnam – US Bilateral Trade Agreement (1995-2000).
The minister acknowledged and greatly appreciated GAES’s proposals, affirming that Vietnam encourages participation in the development of liquefied natural gas infrastructure and energy markets in Vietnam.
