Vietnam suggests early conclusion of reciprocal tariff talks with US

He said this would help establish a stable and predictable framework for businesses and investors in both countries, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Hung, who also heads the Vietnamese negotiating delegation, made the call during a working session with U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jacob Helberg on Monday, on the sidelines of the sixth round of negotiations on the Vietnam-U.S. reciprocal fair and balanced trade agreement.

Addressing the state of bilateral trade negotiations, Hung reaffirmed that Vietnam remains committed to a dialogue- and cooperation-based approach and has demonstrated a high level of market openness for U.S. exports.

On that basis, he proposed that the U.S. continue close coordination with Vietnam and create negotiating conditions commensurate with the comprehensive strategic partnership, with a view to concluding the reciprocal trade agreement at an early date.

The official said an early conclusion of the talks would help enhance predictability, strengthen confidence among businesses and investors, and support a more balanced, sustainable, and mutually beneficial trade relationship between the two countries.

Beyond trade negotiations, Hung emphasized that Vietnam regards supply chain cooperation with the U.S. as a strategic pillar in its efforts to upgrade its position in global value chains.

He expressed a desire to promote more substantive cooperation in high tech industries, manufacturing, energy, aerospace, and the green economy, saying Vietnam is ready to increase imports of high-tech products from the U.S. as part of efforts to balance bilateral trade.

He added that Vietnam acknowledges and highly values innovative cooperation proposals from the U.S. side, including initiatives to support American enterprises investing in Vietnam’s high-tech industries.

For his part, Helberg stressed Washington’s strong interest in strengthening cooperation with Vietnam in key areas such as artificial intelligence, digital technology, energy, supply chains, and new models of economic cooperation.

He said the U.S. is keen to see Vietnam support upcoming American investment projects, particularly in high-tech sectors.

At the conclusion of the session, the two sides agreed to maintain regular exchanges and enhance coordination at both policy and technical levels.

They viewed the expansion of new, high value cooperation pillars as key to consolidating a long-term foundation for Vietnam-U.S. economic relations.

The meeting took place as Vietnam and the U.S. accelerate the implementation of their comprehensive strategic partnership and enter what both sides have described as a pivotal phase in tariff negotiations toward a reciprocal trade agreement.

Vietnam and the U.S. began talks in late April 2025 after Washington announced a 46-percent reciprocal tariff on Vietnamese imports under its new global tariff policy, a measure that was later suspended for 90 days to allow for dialogue.

On August 1, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order revising reciprocal tariff rates for 69 countries and territories, including Vietnam, cutting the tariff on Vietnamese imports from 46 percent to 20 percent.