On April 9, 2025, during his visit to the United States as a special envoy of General Secretary To Lam, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc met with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to discuss bilateral economic and trade issues. The meeting comes at a crucial time as both nations look to strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership.
Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc emphasized Vietnam's desire to deepen its relationship with the U.S., thanking the American government for its support of a "strong, independent, self-reliant, and prosperous" Vietnam. He reiterated Vietnam's commitment to building an independent and self-reliant economy while pursuing a foreign policy that is independent, multilateral, and diversified.
During the discussions, Phoc expressed Vietnam's eagerness to collaborate with U.S. agencies to implement agreements made between General Secretary To Lam and President Donald Trump on April 4, 2025. He underscored the importance of maintaining stable and sustainable economic and trade relations for the benefit of both nations' businesses and peoples.
Phoc pointed out that Vietnam has proactively taken measures to address the trade deficit with the U.S. However, he criticized the high tariffs imposed on Vietnamese exports, stating that such measures do not reflect the spirit of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and the U.S. He proposed that, despite the U.S. decision to postpone tariffs for 90 days, both countries should negotiate a bilateral trade agreement to create a long-term framework that fosters stable and mutually beneficial economic relations.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer acknowledged the positive steps taken by Vietnam and expressed appreciation for the commitment to enhancing economic and trade relations. He explained the challenges faced by the U.S. economy that necessitated the recent tariff policies, noting that the high tariffs on Vietnam stemmed from a significant trade deficit.
Greer confirmed that the U.S. is willing to initiate negotiations on a reciprocal trade agreement, which will include discussions on tariffs, and proposed immediate technical exchanges between both sides. Both parties agreed to work closely to promote a favorable business environment, minimize non-tariff barriers, and facilitate U.S. investment in Vietnam while strengthening cooperation to prevent trade fraud.
On April 8 and 9, 2025, during his working visit to the U.S., Deputy Prime Minister Phoc also met with Senators Bill Hagerty and Steve Daines, as well as various U.S. organizations and businesses. He appreciated the support from the U.S. Congress and individual senators for Vietnam-U.S. relations, noting the positive developments since the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership. He highlighted 2025 as a significant year, marking the 30th anniversary of normalized relations between the two countries.
Phoc described the Vietnam-U.S. economic relationship as complementary, stating that Vietnam does not compete with U.S. goods but imports many high-tech products and services from the U.S. He urged the U.S. Congress to support the removal of tariffs on Vietnamese goods and advocate for negotiations aimed at achieving a long-term, sustainable bilateral trade agreement that benefits both countries' people and businesses.
During the meetings, both senators expressed fond memories of their visits to Vietnam and conveyed hopes for the continued development of Vietnam-U.S. relations, which they believe will contribute positively to peace and stability in the region and globally. They praised Vietnam's proactive approach to tariff issues and voiced their support for trade relations based on mutual strategic benefits.
In a related development, on April 10, 2025, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang stated that the U.S. decision to suspend retaliatory tariffs for 90 days on exports from various countries, including Vietnam, is a positive step. This decision reflects the spirit of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations and commemorates the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Hang noted that Vietnam will negotiate a reciprocal trade agreement with the U.S. based on mutual respect, aiming for fair and sustainable trade solutions that benefit both nations' populations and businesses. She reiterated the significance of 2025 as a year for commemorative activities, including delegation exchanges.
President Donald Trump announced on his social media platform Truth Social that the U.S. would temporarily suspend tariffs for 90 days on 75 partner countries, including Vietnam. This announcement came shortly after the tariffs were set to take effect, demonstrating a willingness to reassess trade policies.
In summary, Vietnam's proactive stance in addressing trade issues and its commitment to strengthening ties with the U.S. reflect a growing partnership that aims to navigate the complexities of international trade while fostering mutual benefits. As both countries prepare to celebrate three decades of diplomatic relations, the focus remains on ensuring that trade practices align with the principles of fairness and sustainability.
