Today, Vietnam establishes a negotiating team to immediately discuss with the US

On April 10 (local time), continuing activities within the framework of the US visit as a Special Envoy of General Secretary To Lam to discuss bilateral economic and trade issues, Party Central Committee member and Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc had meetings with Minister of Finance Scott Bessent and Minister of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed.

At the meeting with Minister of Finance Scott Bessent, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc highly appreciated the fact that the two sides agreed to launch negotiations on counterpart trade agreements, including agreements on tariffs; affirmed that Vietnam is ready for negotiations, and suggested that the two sides soon discuss concrete matters to reach an agreement as soon as possible.

Finance Minister Scott Bessent thanked Vietnam for promptly taking measures to actively address US concerns; highly appreciated the two countries' efforts to negotiate bilateral trade agreements; and said that the US government has assigned him to be the head of the negotiation delegation with Vietnam. The Minister expressed his confidence that the two sides will soon reach appropriate solutions, promoting stable and mutually beneficial economic and trade relations.

At the meeting with Minister of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc said that the two sides' agreement to launch negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement is of great significance, in line with the framework of the Vietnam - US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The Deputy Prime Minister suggested that the US Department of Commerce closely coordinate with relevant ministries, branches and agencies of Vietnam during the negotiations.

Minister of Commerce Howard Lutnick affirmed that he attaches great importance to the relationship with Vietnam, saying that Vietnam is a large economy with great potential, an important partner of the US in the region.

Minister Lutnick emphasized that the US is currently prioritizing re- industrialization, bringing production back to the US, and ensuring fair trade.

The Minister affirmed that the US Department of Commerce will closely coordinate with Vietnam to negotiate and resolve issues raised in bilateral economic and trade relations, towards a suitable agreement, contributing to the development of both the US and Vietnam.

In recent days, during his working trip to the US as a special delegate of General Secretary To Lam, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc had many exchanges and negotiations with the US Government to reach an agreement on the two countries will negotiate a bilateral trade agreement, in which the content of tariffs is an important pillar.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this is an extremely meaningful result in the context of the complicated global trade situation. This result was achieved on the basis of the orientation at the important phone call between General Secretary To Lam and President Donald Trump held on April 4, just two days after the US announced the imposition of countervailing tariffs, as well as after the Government's very proactive and active efforts to urgently concretize the results of the phone call.

The working group led by Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc completed the tasks and goals assigned by the leaders of the Party, State and Government. According to the direction of the Prime Minister, on April 11, a Vietnamese negotiating delegation will be established to immediately discuss with the US negotiating delegation led by Minister of Finance Bessent, aiming to soon reach a stable, sustainable and mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement.

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