Việtnam and United States Hold Eighth Ministerial-Level Negotiation on Reciprocal Trade Agreement

Washington, The Gulf Observer: Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyễn Hồng Diên and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer convened the eighth ministerial-level negotiation on a reciprocal trade agreement between Việtnam and the United States in Washington D.C. on Monday (local time), ahead of technical discussions scheduled for November 12–14.

Held in an open, frank, and constructive atmosphere, the session focused on key remaining issues and the overall direction for advancing the trade negotiations. Both sides also discussed broader aspects of bilateral trade relations and the importance of ensuring a mutually beneficial outcome.

Ambassador Greer commended the progress achieved so far, particularly the two countries’ recent adoption of the Joint Statement on a Framework for an Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade, describing it as an important step toward finalising the agreement. He also praised Việt Nam’s systematic and pragmatic approach in addressing U.S. proposals and highlighted the constructive spirit of the Vietnamese delegation.

Minister Diên reaffirmed Việt Nam’s determination to foster a balanced and sustainable trade relationship with the United States, emphasizing that the completion of the reciprocal trade pact would further strengthen bilateral cooperation within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He outlined measures undertaken by Việt Nam to enhance trade flows and proposed several steps to accelerate the negotiation process. Diên also urged both sides to maintain flexibility and practicality in the discussions to ensure tangible benefits for both parties.

Greer welcomed the Vietnamese proposals and directed the U.S. technical team to examine them in detail for further follow-up during the upcoming technical sessions.

Both sides agreed that the ministerial dialogue marked an important milestone in addressing the outstanding issues and expressed their shared commitment to concluding the reciprocal trade agreement soon, which would deliver concrete benefits for both economies.

Earlier, in late October, Việtnam and the United States had reached the Framework for an Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade during the attendance of U.S. President Donald Trump and Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính at the 47th ASEAN Summit and related meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Under the joint statement, Việtnam agreed to provide preferential market access for substantially all U.S. industrial and agricultural exports to the Vietnamese market. In turn, the United States will maintain reciprocal tariffs at 20 per cent—consistent with Executive Order 14257 of April 2, 2025, as amended—on originating goods from Việtnam. The U.S. will also identify specific products, listed in Annex III of Executive Order 14346 of September 5, 2025 (Potential Tariff Adjustments for Aligned Partners), to receive a zero per cent reciprocal tariff rate.

Both sides have further committed to addressing and preventing barriers to U.S. agricultural products entering the Vietnamese market, including through mutual recognition of regulatory oversight and certificates issued by relevant U.S. authorities.

The latest round of talks demonstrates the strong momentum in Việtnam–U.S. trade relations and the shared goal of building a comprehensive, equitable, and forward-looking economic partnership.