Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien (centre) and United States Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer at their meeting in Washington DC. Photo from the Ministry of Industry and trade
Led by Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, who heads the Vietnamese government’s negotiation team, the delegation engaged in four days of discussions with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer.
According to a statement released late Sunday by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, both sides held frank and constructive exchanges, particularly on issues outlined in Vietnam’s official written response previously submitted to the US. Delegations were said to have listened carefully to each other’s analysis and rationale in a bid to find mutually agreeable solutions.
The two sides agreed to hold a working-level online meeting in the coming days to resolve remaining issues and prepare for a virtual ministerial dialogue between Secretary Lutnick and Minister Dien.
On the final day of the negotiations, Minister Dien held a direct session with both Secretary Lutnick and Ambassador Greer — the first time the US had initiated a ministerial-level engagement in this format.
Drawing from the discussions, Minister Dien presented a number of proposals aimed at accelerating progress and achieving substantive outcomes. Both Secretary Lutnick and Ambassador Greer welcomed Vietnam’s cooperative stance and largely agreed with the proposals, describing them as a strong basis for continued technical-level negotiations toward a final agreement.
Following the plenary session, Minister Dien met separately with Secretary Lutnick to clarify several key issues. Secretary Lutnick reaffirmed the US’s commitment to its relationship with Vietnam and expressed optimism about the country’s continued economic growth. He acknowledged Vietnam’s concerns and said the Department of Commerce would coordinate with the USTR to explore appropriate policy responses.
Minister Dien, in turn, reiterated Vietnam’s determination to pursue a balanced and sustainable economic partnership with the US that would benefit businesses and citizens in both countries.
Both sides agreed to instruct their technical teams to remain in close contact in order to move closer to a final agreement that reflects each country’s expectations and national interests.