Vietnam and the United States of America began trade talks on Wednesday, according to Reuters.
The news platform reports that Vietnam’s trade minister spoke to the U.S. Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer by phone on Wednesday, state-run media reported.
The talks between the two countries come amid looming 46 percent U.S. tariffs, which become a threat to South-east Asia’s industrial hub.
Recall that the U.S. had paused imposing the 46 percent reciprocal tariffs on Vietnam until July 2025. The tariff, if applied, could undermine growth in Vietnam, which relies on exports to its top market, the United States, and large investments by foreign manufacturers.
“Vietnam is ready to deal with existing issues on the basis of mutual interests,”; broadcaster Vietnam Television reported, citing the trade minister, Nguyen Hong Dien, who heads the Vietnamese negotiation team.
“The U.S. side hopes to reach mutual agreement towards a stable and sustainable trade relationship,”; VTV reported.
Meanwhile, USTR is yet to speak officially on the telephone conversation with his Vietnamese counterpart.
Earlier, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Tuesday instructed officials to combat trade fraud, counterfeiting, and other issues of concern for the United States.
Vietnam has the fourth-largest trade surplus among all U.S. trading partners, worth $123.5 billion last year.
DAILY POST recalls that this is at least the third time it has been reported that trade talks have “started”; between the U.S. and Vietnam. Days ago, it was reported that the U.S. and Vietnam were close to a deal.
The development comes as the tit-for-tat between the US and China over the tariff war persists in the past weeks.
