Vietnam and Brazil strengthen energy cooperation

On the occasion of the State visit to Vietnam by Brazilian President Lula da Silva and the Brazilian high-ranking delegation from March 27-29, 2025, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien had a working session with Mr. Alexandre Silveira - Minister of Mines and Energy; Mr. Marcio Elias Rosa - Deputy Minister of Development, Industry, Trade and Services of Brazil.

At the meeting, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien affirmed that although Brazil is currently Vietnam's largest trading partner in South America and Vietnam is Brazil's largest trading partner in the ASEAN region, the room and exploitation potential between the two countries are still very large.

The Minister suggested that in the coming time, the two sides focus on strengthening cooperation in the following 6 key contents:

Firstly, regarding the procedures for recognizing Vietnam's market economy: Vietnam welcomes and thanks Brazil for recognizing Vietnam's market economy regulations and requests that technical staff from both sides continue working to soon complete the necessary recognition procedures in the second quarter of 2025.

Second, the two sides continue to open the market to each other's key products. Accordingly, Vietnam will soon open the market for beef products, and continue to open the market for products that Brazil has advantages and Vietnam has demand for. On the other hand, it is recommended that Brazil open a partnership for products such as Vietnamese shrimp, pangasius, and pangasius.

Third, strengthen cooperation in the field of ethanol production. This is a highly feasible cooperation because Brazil is a country with experience in producing Pethanol. While Vietnam has great potential and the need to shift to using clean fuel such as Pethanol will be strong in the coming time.

Fourth, strengthening cooperation in industry and energy, Vietnam has become a world production center, so it is in great need of raw materials for production. Meanwhile, Brazil is a country rich in resources and minerals that can meet this demand. In addition, Vietnam is in the process of a strong energy transition, so the opportunity for cooperation between the two sides in this field in the coming time is very large.

Fifthly, upgrading the Chairman of the Mixed Committee of the two countries to the Minister, to commitment to the strategic partnership, and at the same time conducting the 3rd meeting of the mixed committee this year.

Sixth, in its key role, Brazil and Vietnam will promote the initiation of negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and MERCOSUR.

On the Brazilian side, the Minister of Mines and Energy agreed with Minister Nguyen Hong Dien that energy cooperation is one of the areas that the two countries need to focus on to further promote in the coming time. Brazilian enterprises are ready to learn about opportunities and cooperate with Vietnamese partners in the above areas.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Marcio Elias Rosa - Deputy Minister of Development, Industry, Trade and Services of Brazil suggested that the two sides continue to promote current cooperation mechanisms, focusing on priority goals for economic and trade relations between the two countries.

Mr. Marcio Elias Rosa thanked Vietnam for its goodwill in opening up beef markets for Brazil, and announced President Lula's decision to lift the ban on tilapia and open the Brazilian market for some types of shrimp, according to international standards. Regarding pangasius and pangasius, the Brazilian Government is committed to conducting a technical assessment as soon as possible.

At the end of the meeting, the two sides pledged to quickly deploy the task force to promote trade and industry between the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam and the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services Brazil. Considering this as a most important and practical mechanism in promoting specific contents and fields in economic cooperation between the two countries.

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