Vietnam wants to work with US on developing harmonious rules on goods origin: Minister

Vietnam wants, together with the U.S., to develop a set of practical and harmonious rules on goods origin that is suitable to global supply chains, said Vietnam’s Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien.

The minister made the statement on Thursday during an online round of negotiations with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The round took place within the framework of reciprocal trade pact negotiations.

Dien noted that the set of rules should ensure non-discrimination and create favorable conditions for companies from both countries.

According to Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), the two sides discussed solutions and directions to address key outstanding issues in the trade pact negotiations.

Minister Dien reiterated his request for the U.S. to consider Vietnam’s key concerns, including reciprocal tax policies and market access for several major export categories.

The U.S. officials praised Vietnam’s efforts and goodwill in addressing U.S. concerns, saying these steps provide a basis for the U.S. to weigh reciprocal tax policies aligned with Vietnam’s specific conditions and circumstances, the MoIT's news portal reported.

They reaffirmed the U.S. commitment and determination to negotiate with Vietnam for an agreement that serves the interests of both countries, it said.

Ambassador Greer noted that the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) will soon finalize and send necessary documents to Vietnam to facilitate focused discussions, the news portal added.

The online meeting took place after the two countries concluded the third round of negotiations in Washington D.C. on June 12.

U.S. President Donald 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.

After the U.S. announced the delay and agreed to start negotiations with Vietnam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh formed a government negotiation team, led by Minister Dien.

Since early May, the Vietnamese technical delegation has been working with relevant U.S. agencies on bilateral trade negotiations.

The first round of bilateral trade pact negotiations took place on May 16 in Jeju, South Korea, immediately after the conclusion of the 31st APEC Ministerial Meeting on Trade (MRT 31). The second round was held from May 19 to 22 in Washington, D.C.