US Trade Negotiator responds ‘positively’ to Vietnam’s proposals

U.S. Chief Trade Negotiator Jamieson Greer gave a “fairly positive” response to several proposals from Vietnam during ministerial-level talks on the bilateral reciprocal trade agreement, the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade said on Monday.

The meeting between Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, head of Vietnam’s negotiation team, and Greer, the U.S. Trade Representative, took place in Washington, D.C. on November 10.

It marked the eighth ministerial meeting between the two sides and preceded a round of technical negotiations scheduled for November 12-14 in Washington D.C.

The two ministers discussed major outstanding issues in an open, frank and constructive atmosphere, and set directions for resolving them, while also reviewing the broader bilateral trade relationship, the ministry stated in a release posted on its website.

At the beginning of the negotiation session, Greer reviewed the work that both sides have implemented and said he highly appreciated the two countries' agreement on the Joint Statement on the Framework of a Reciprocal, Fair and Balanced Trade Agreement, considering this an important basis to quickly promote and complete the negotiation process.

Greer praised Vietnam’s goodwill, systematic approach and problem-solving efforts in addressing U.S. concerns, and acknowledged the constructive spirit of the Vietnamese delegation. He also responded “frankly and quite positively” to some of Vietnam’s proposals, according to the release.

Minister Dien reiterated Vietnam’s commitment to building a balanced and sustainable economic and trade relationship with the United States, highlighting several proactive measures the country has taken to boost bilateral trade.

He said completing the reciprocal trade agreement would further strengthen bilateral ties, not only in trade but across other areas, consistent with the Vietnam-U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Dien also put forward a number of proposals aimed at advancing the negotiation process.

The Vietnamese minister called for both sides to adopt a practical and flexible approach to ensure mutual benefits. Greer welcomed the suggestions and instructed the U.S. technical team to study them for further discussions with the Vietnamese side.

Both ministers agreed that the latest session was an important step toward resolving outstanding issues and accelerating the conclusion of the reciprocal trade agreement, which they said would benefit both countries.

On October 26, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh announced the Joint Statement between Vietnam and the United States on the Framework of a Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade Agreement, following months of negotiations.

Under the key provisions of the Reciprocal Trade Agreement, Vietnam will grant preferential market access to nearly all U.S. agricultural and industrial exports. Meanwhile, the United States will maintain a reciprocal tariff rate of 20% as stipulated in Executive Order No. 14257 dated April 2, 2025, as amended, for goods originating from Vietnam.

At the same time, the U.S. will identify products listed in Annex III of Executive Order No. 14356 dated September 5, 2025 - “Adjustment of Potential Tariffs for Like-Minded Partners” - to be eligible for a 0% reciprocal tariff rate.