Vietnam PM expects stronger partnership with US in green transition

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has suggested that Vietnam and the U.S. should expand cooperation in green transition, sustainable agriculture, and digital transformation.

At a reception for U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai in Hanoi on Tuesday, the Vietnamese PM reiterated that the country always attaches importance to its comprehensive partnership with the U.S., and expressed his delight at the strong, all-around development of bilateral relations.

For her part, Tai spoke highly of her working sessions with Vietnamese ministries and agencies, which took place in an active and constructive spirit, contributing to enhancing mutual understanding.

She said the U.S. always considers Vietnam an important partner in the region and wishes to strengthen cooperation with the country in economy, trade, labor, environment, digital commerce, agriculture, and intellectual property.

Tai briefed the PM on priorities and organization plans for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Year 2023 to be hosted by the U.S., and potential and prospects of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, particularly in promoting high-quality investment, building self-reliant supply chains in the region, fostering sustainable, inclusive economic growth, addressing common challenges to the region, and utilizing new development opportunities.

Chinh said that the two nations should expand cooperation in such areas as digital transformation, green transition, sustainable agriculture, energy transition, and environmental protection.

He also suggested the two sides work together to handle obstacles to their economic and trade ties, satisfactorily consider issues regarding trade remedy and anti-dumping investigation for mutual benefit, and facilitate Vietnam’s exports to the U.S.

According to Katherine Tai’s office, she told the PM that the Biden Administration looked forward to welcoming Vietnam to the U.S. for the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade meetings and the Leaders’ Summit in May and November 2023, respectively.

The office also said she noted that the U.S. looked forward to convening a meeting under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement later in 2023. Ambassador Tai and PM Chinh agreed to remain in touch on these issues in order to deepen the bilateral relationship.

Tai, who is on a working visit to Vietnam from February 13-15, also met with government officials at the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Information and Communication, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.