Vietnam rejects industrial overcapacity, forced labor allegations: minister

The delegation was led by Michael Baumgartner, a member of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, according to the Vietnamese foreign ministry.

His remarks came after the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative launched two separate investigations in March under Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act of 1974 into industrial overcapacity and forced labor practices, involving dozens of countries and territories, including Vietnam.

Emphasizing that there is no industrial overcapacity or forced labor in Vietnam, the minister urged the U.S. side to make objective and fair assessments reflecting the realities of bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

He called for maintaining regular and constructive dialogue channels to address remaining differences, based on mutual respect for political systems, independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within the framework of the comprehensive strategic partnership.

The minister said Vietnam has actively improved its legal framework and strengthened intellectual property enforcement in recent years, while taking strict action against violations in an effort to build a transparent and healthy business environment in line with the country’s international commitments.

Reaffirming that Vietnam considers the U.S. one of its most important partners, he called for stronger economic and trade cooperation based on balance, fairness, and mutual benefit.

The minister proposed expanding cooperation in science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, energy, education and training, people-to-people exchanges, and war consequences remediation.

He said the ministry stands ready to work closely with U.S. agencies, including the U.S. Congress, to promote mutually beneficial cooperation and contribute to regional peace, stability, cooperation, and development.

In addition to the meeting with Minister Trung, the U.S. delegation also engaged in talks with other senior Vietnamese officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang and Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Doan Anh.

Deputy PM Giang proposed expanding bilateral defense cooperation and highlighted war consequence remediation, calling for continued U.S. support for dioxin clean-up, unexploded ordnance removal, assistance for people with disabilities, and searches for missing military personnel.

Deputy Chairman Anh called for deeper implementation of the comprehensive strategic partnership through increased high-level and parliamentary exchanges.

Members of the U.S. delegation said economic and trade ties remain a key driver of bilateral relations and expressed support for stronger people-to-people exchanges and cooperation between U.S. states and Vietnamese localities.

In the two meetings, both sides also discussed regional and international issues, including developments in the Asia-Pacific region, energy, and maritime security.

Regarding the East Vietnam Sea issue, they emphasized the importance of maintaining peace, stability, and freedom of navigation and overflight in accordance with international law.