During a high-level meeting in Washington D.C. on May 22, Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick agreed to intensify technical dialogue and maintain senior-level exchanges to push for substantial progress in bilateral tariff negotiations.

Minister Nguyen emphasized Vietnam’s consistent and growing demand for U.S. products, technologies, and services, particularly in high-tech and energy sectors. He affirmed Vietnam’s commitment to fostering a transparent and healthy trade environment and pledged stronger cooperation with the United States in preventing trade fraud, origin misrepresentation, and illegal transshipment.

With the goal of becoming a high-income country by 2035, Vietnam regards the U.S. as one of its key strategic partners. The country is eager to advance a balanced, sustainable, and mutually beneficial trade relationship.

Vietnam urged the U.S. to address current economic and trade issues, recognize Vietnam as a market economy, and remove it from technology export-restriction lists D1 and D3. According to Minister Nguyen, this move would improve trade balance and deliver tangible benefits to both countries.

Secretary Lutnick welcomed Vietnam’s efforts and goodwill in pursuing a bilateral reciprocal trade agreement. He praised Vietnam’s growing importance as a high-value, high-tech market for American businesses and expressed hope that Vietnam would continue to facilitate U.S. investments, particularly in expanding imports from the U.S.

The two ministers agreed to accelerate technical talks and maintain high-level exchanges to achieve real progress in negotiations, aiming to build a long-term, stable economic and trade framework.

Engagement with US. lawmakers

On May 21, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien also held meetings with Senator Ted Cruz, Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, and Senator Steve Daines, a member of the Senate Finance and Foreign Relations Committees.

Minister Nguyen reiterated Vietnam’s readiness to create a favorable environment for U.S. companies and urged the U.S. to consider Vietnam a priority trading partner - especially now that both countries have upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

He stated that Vietnam is prepared to work closely with the U.S. toward a trade agreement grounded in respect for sovereignty, balanced interests, and compliance with international commitments, in line with each country’s development level. He asked the senators to support and promote the negotiation process.

U.S. lawmakers recognized Vietnam’s strong growth potential, particularly in industries such as energy, high technology, and the digital economy. They noted that major U.S. firms are closely watching Vietnam’s policies and investment climate, and many are looking to expand long-term operations in this strategic Asia-Pacific market.

Both sides expressed optimism that the Vietnam-U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will continue to strengthen, especially as global supply chains are being restructured and diversified toward dynamic, stable markets like Vietnam.

Tam An