Hanoi (VNA) - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called on ministries and agencies to proactively engage with the US, as he chaired a meeting on April 29 to review preparations for upcoming trade negotiations.
This was the sixth meeting focusing on implementing directions from the Party Central Committee, the Politburo, and Party General Secretary To Lam regarding adaptation to new US tariff policies.
The PM highlighted Vietnam’s proactive and coordinated response, noting that while progress has been positive, the situation remains complex. He called for continued close monitoring, swift, effective and feasible action, and proactive solutions within each agency’s authority.
Vietnamese authorities are actively addressing issues related to rules of origin, non-tariff barriers, intellectual property, copyright, and administrative reform.
Chinh instructed ministries to proactively engage with the US and clearly explain Vietnam’s efforts on matters of concern. He also directed ministries to accelerate negotiations and sign contracts in May 2025 for the import of US goods such as LNG, aircraft, pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and agricultural products, to ensure balanced and sustainable trade.
Negotiations, he noted, must be calm, consistent, and flexible, aiming to protect national sovereignty, security, and interests, while upholding international commitments and pursuing “balanced interests, shared risks.”
Vietnamese agencies are engaging in discussions with the US side to bring each other's import and export tariffs to lower and more matching levels. Vietnam is also urging the US to recognise Vietnam as a market economy, and lift restrictions on high-tech exports, thus supporting trade balance and technology transfer.
Vietnam is also working with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and regional partners to ensure harmonised interests and sustainable trade balance under the ASEAN–US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, he added.
The Government leader requested each ministry to prepare specific negotiation plans, with the Ministry of Industry and Trade to gather and finalise the best one by April 30./.
