As part of his on-going working visit to the US, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc, Special Envoy of General Secretary To Lam, on April 10 met with US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, who has been appointed as the head negotiator for trade talks with Vietnam.  

Deputy PM Phoc spoke highly of the agreement reached by the two countries to initiate negotiations on a reciprocal trade deal, calling on the two sides to begin negotiations to soon reach the deal.

Secretary Scott Bessent said Vietnam has taken positive measures to address the issues concerned by the US, saying that the US Administration has appointed him as head of the negotiating delegation with Vietnam.

He expressed his belief that the two countries would soon reach proper solutions to advance mutually beneficial economic and trade relations, and promised to coordinate closely with Vietnam in the negotiation process.

The same day, Deputy PM Phoc met US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. Mr. Phoc suggested the US Department of Commerce work closely with relevant Vietnamese ministries and agencies during the negotiation process.

Secretary Howard Lutnick affirmed that the US attaches great importance to the relationship with Vietnam, saying Vietnam is a highly potential economy and an important partner of the US.

He promised to coordinate closely with Vietnam during the negotiation process to reach a deal conducive to the development in both the US and Vietnam.