President Truong Tan Sang received US Trade Representative Michael Froman in New York on September 28, confirming Vietnam’s determination to work with the US and other member countries to complete the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement’s negotiations shortly.

To boost bilateral trade and sign the agreement by the end of this year, the President suggested the US proactively satisfy Vietnam’s proposals on market opening and facilitation of Vietnamese exports, including cutting down trade barriers imposed on Vietnamese goods.

He also called for strengthened cooperation in the spirit of the two countries’ Joint Vision Statement to implement TPP agreement commitments in line with international and Vietnamese laws, recognise Vietnam’s market economy status and reduce anti-dumping and anti-subsidy lawsuits against Vietnamese tra and basa fish and shrimp.

The Vietnamese State leader appreciated Froman’s contributions to enhancing the two countries’ trade ties which have seen an annual growth rate of around 20 percent.

In turn, Froman suggested both countries boost their cooperation to maintain their impressive economic growth.

The two sides should exert efforts to address several issues with differing opinions to complete TPP negotiations shortly, he added.

On the occasion, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh also received US Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during which they agreed that the two countries should continue delegation exchanges and dialogues to intensify bilateral relations.

The two officials also exchanged views on regional and international issues, including the East Sea. They reached consensus that all disputes in the East Sea should be resolved by peaceful means in line with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).-VNA
VNA