US Trade Representative's Visit Opens Celebration of Vietnam-US Comprehensive Partnership

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and US Trade Representative Katherine Tai at the reception. Photo: baoquocte.vn

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son underlined the potential of Vietnam-US cooperation in climate change response, energy transition, digital transformation and green growth during a reception in Hanoi on February 13 for US Trade Representative Katherine Tai, VNA reported.

Tai is on her first visit to Vietnam which is also the first visit at the economic ministerial level of the Biden administration, starting a series of activities marking the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership.

Son suggested the US soon materialise its commitments to supporting Vietnam and countries in delivering on international agreements on climate change response, including the declaration on the Just Energy Transition Partnership.

Vietnam is ready to partner with the US to successfully hold APEC Year 2023, he said.

Tai, for her part, said the US attaches importance to strengthening partnership with Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean countries while ensuring the interests of its people and workers at home.

The US will give priority to strengthening cooperation frameworks to build efficient and sustainable economic and investment ecosystems, thereby creating a new driving force for regional economic development, she said.

She also shared priorities and plans of the APEC Year 2023 hosted by the US.

Host and guest reviewed bilateral cooperation within the framework of the APEC, discussions on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), sub-regional cooperation, climate change response, energy transition and digital transformation.

They emphasised the importance of promoting free, open and fair trade in line with international law, sustainable and inclusive growth in the region in which ASEAN countries play a central role.

Two-way trade between Vietnam and the US surpassed USD 123 billion last year, up 11% year on year.

The US remained the biggest importer of Vietnamese goods in January, with revenue of some USD 7.6 billion, while China was the biggest exporter to Vietnam, with USD 8.1 billion.

Politburo member and Minister of Public Security To Lam (L) and visiting US Trade Representative Katherine Tai at their meeting in Hanoi on February 13, 2023. Photo: VNA

The same day, Politburo member and Minister of Public Security To Lam received the visiting US Trade Representative.

Considering the US a top trade partner and export market of Vietnam, Lam affirmed that the Party, State, and Government of Vietnam have consistently created favorable conditions for foreign and foreign-invested enterprises, including those from the US, to promote investment attraction and economic development.

The official said Vietnam supports efforts to deepen bilateral relations as well as multilateral cooperation mechanisms and initiatives led by the US that are beneficial to ensuring peace, stability, and development regionally and globally, including the IPEF.

He suggested the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) continue to promote its role in connecting the two Governments to strengthen the Vietnam - US Comprehensive Partnership; as well as create favorable conditions in terms of finance, technology, and human resources development in areas where Vietnam has needs such as digital economy, high technology, clean energy, health, environment, and infrastructure.

At the meeting. Photo: VNA

It is also necessary to research and promote bilateral and multilateral cooperation regarding the fight against fake news, especially given the strong growth of social networking platforms combined with advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), he noted.

The official told the USTR to closely work with Vietnamese law enforcement agencies in the investigation, exchange and verification of information on economic cases involving foreign elements via mutual legal assistance in criminal matters; cooperation in preventing and combating transnational and economic crimes; and strict handling of economic law violations such as smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods, among others.

For her part, Tai said a host of bilateral activities are awaiting the nations this year, with economic pillars expected to be strongly boosted. She pledged close collaboration with Vietnam in the field of e-commerce.

Expressing her delight at the Southeast Asian country’s achievements in the protection of intellectual property rights, she proposed the two sides mobilize experts in this area to serve their exchange and cooperation.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and US Trade Representative Katherine Tai. Source: Dau Tu (Investment) newspaper

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien also received the US Trade Representative within the framework of her visit to Hanoi.

The two sides emphasized the importance of promoting free, open, and fair trade based on international law and sustainable and inclusive growth in the region, in which ASEAN countries play a central role.

Tai affirmed that the bilateral trade relationship between the two countries has been promoted, especially from September 2020 until now.

In 2023, there will continue to be many activities in the Vietnam-US relationship, the "commercial pillars" will be strongly promoted, and at the same time, commit to close cooperation with Vietnam in the field of e-commerce.

US Trade Representative Katherine Tai visits local business Maison Marou - a gourmet chocolate shop in Hanoi. Source: US embassy in Hanoi

US Trade Representative Katherine Tai is visiting Hanoi on February 13-15, according to a press release from the US embassy in Vietnam.

Tai’s trip to Hanoi comes as Vietnam and the US celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Partnership in 2023.

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