Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son, head of the working group to strengthen cooperation and proactively adapt to changes in US economic and trade policies, hosted a reception for US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper on April 6.
During the meeting, Deputy PM Son highlighted the significance of the phone talks between Party General Secretary To Lam and US President Donald Trump on April 4, reaffirming the key messages from the Vietnamese Party chief that Vietnam is ready to negotiate with the US to reduce import tariffs to 0% for goods imported from the US, increase purchasing the goods that the US is strong at and Vietnam needs, and create more favourable conditions for US companies to do business and invest in the Southeast Asian country.
He also cited General Secretary Lam as proposing President Trump postpone the time for imposing reciprocal tariffs on Vietnamese goods during the negotiations between the two countries.
Son informed the diplomat that General Secretary To Lam had appointed Deputy PM Ho Duc Phoc as a special envoy to pay a working visit to the US for implementing the contents on which the two countries' leaders had agreed on during their phone talks. He asked the US side to prioritise arranging meetings between the Vietnamese delegation and US partners to reach an agreement as soon as possible, for the benefit of the people and businesses of both countries.
Vietnam shares the US’ concern about balancing trade between the two countries, Son said, adding that Vietnam regrets that the US decided to impose very high reciprocal tariffs on Vietnamese imports, which affects businesses of both countries and, in particular, millions of Vietnamese people.
He stated that the tariff imposition decision does not match the reality of bilateral economic and trade cooperation, or correctly reflect the spirit of the Vietnam - US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, while negatively impacting the flourishing economic and trade ties between the two countries.
The Deputy PM took the occasion to call on the two sides to work together to implement cooperation across all areas of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Cooperation in addressing war legacy is a meaningful stepping stone of the bilateral relationship, he said, applauding Knapper’s recent working trip to the central province of Quang Tri, one of the most heavily war-impacted localities in Vietnam, to examine the bomb clearance site and the search for remains of American soldiers missing in action during the war.
Deputy PM Son asked the ambassador to continue supporting and promoting US efforts to maintain and expand humanitarian assistance and war legacy settlement projects in Vietnam, especially in 2025, when the two countries celebrate the 30th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties.
Sharing Son’s views, Knapper affirmed that Vietnam is a strategically important partner for the US.
He noted that leaders of the Party, Government, ministries, and sectors of Vietnam have taken swift and positive actions in response to the US concerns.
The diplomat particularly spoke highly of the phone talks between General Secretary Lam and President Trump, noting that it was the first phone call by the US President with a foreign leader after the new tariffs were announced. He stressed that this reflected both leaders' respect for and concern about their relations.
Knapper also valued the positive and concrete discussions and cooperation between the two sides over the past months, which contributed to the substantive and productive dialogue between the two leaders. He also pledged coordination to prepare for Deputy PM Phoc’s upcoming visit to his country.
The ambassador thanked Vietnam for its positive approach and understanding of the US concerns, adding that the coming discussions present an opportunity for both sides to devise solutions to put bilateral trade relations on a healthy and mutually beneficial development trajectory.
Knapper emphasised that 2025 is a significant year in the bilateral relationship as it marks the 30th founding anniversary of the diplomatic ties. He noted the US Embassy will work closely with Vietnamese agencies to implement an effective agenda, towards deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with a focus on promoting all-level mutual visits as well as advancing comprehensive cooperation between the two countries./.
VNA
