Vietnam-US negotiations make 'positive progress'

The second round of Vietnam-U.S. negotiations has made positive progress, identifying issues of consensus and contents that need further discussion, according to the former's Ministry of Industry and Trade.

The two countries conducted the second round of negotiations of a reciprocal trade agreement from May 19-22 in Washington D.C.

On the last working day, Nguyen Hong Dien, Minister of Industry and Trade and head of Vietnam's Government Negotiation Delegation, worked with U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer.

Vietnam and the U.S. have identified groups of issues on which they have reached consensus or have similar views, the ministry (MoIT) stated on its news portal.

The two sides also identified issues that need to be further discussed to reach agreement in the coming time, while setting time frames for feedback on the draft agreement and online meetings to prepare for the next negotiation sessions.

It is expected that the next contents will be discussed in early June, in line with agreement between the heads of the two countries' negotiation delegations.

"Vietnam and the U.S. have discussed all the planned contents in the spirit of goodwill, frankness, respect for institutions, and balancing interests, and in accordance with international commitments and the development level of each country," the MoIT added.

According to the MoIT, in the second round of negotiations, the two sides spent time providing information on each side's current policies, clarifying the contents of the draft agreement, and discussing the overall approach.

"This helps to resolve fundamental issues of mutual concern to speed up the negotiation process," the ministry stated.

The MoIT noted that U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer highly appreciates Vietnam's goodwill and efforts in handling issues of U.S. concern.

He hoped that the two sides would continue promoting exchanges at the technical and ministerial levels to achieve results as soon as possible, it added.

President Trump on April 2 said that he would levy massive 46% tariffs on imports from Vietnam as part of a new wave of global impositions, effective from April 9.

Trump on April 9 dropped his reciprocal tariffs for countries reaching out to the U.S. to negotiate to 10% for 90 days.