24 May 2025

Over the course of three days of negotiations, with strong determination and utmost effort, the Vietnamese and U.S. delegations engaged in discussions covering all issues raised prior to the talks. The exchanges were conducted in a spirit of goodwill, openness, mutual respect for each country’s system, and with an aim to harmonize and balance interests. The discussions also aligned with international commitments and the respective levels of development of each nation.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyễn Hồng Diên and U.S. Ambassador, Chief Trade Representative Jamieson Greer at the Negotiation Session

The second round of negotiations for the Vietnam–United States Reciprocal Trade Agreement, held from May 19–22, 2025, in Washington, D.C., concluded with significant progress in both substance and strategic direction. Both sides reaffirmed their strong commitment to building a fair, substantive, and long-term bilateral trade cooperation framework.

COMPREHENSIVE EXCHANGES AND CONSENSUS ON THE NEXT STEPS

The Vietnamese delegation was led by Minister of Industry and Trade and Chief Government Negotiator Nguyễn Hồng Diên, and included members of the negotiation team as well as representatives from various ministries and sectors such as Public Security, Foreign Affairs, Finance, Construction, Home Affairs, Agriculture and Environment, Science and Technology, Justice, and the State Bank of Vietnam. They engaged in direct talks with the U.S. delegation, headed by Ambassador and Chief Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

Vietnam and the United States Demonstrate Strong Commitment to Building a Fair, Substantive, and Long-Term Bilateral Trade Framework

Over the course of three working days, the two sides delved deeply into all topics raised during the first round of negotiations, ranging from market access for goods, services, and investment, to issues such as transparency, subsidies, the environment, and technology transfer.

As a result, several issue groups reached basic consensus, particularly in key areas such as:

• Opening markets for agricultural products and processed industrial goods
• Harmonizing technical standards and environmental regulations
• Mechanisms for dispute resolution and enforcement of commitments
• Commitments to intellectual property protection and promotion of technology transfer

The two delegations also agreed on a timeline and approach to addressing remaining differences. This includes finalizing a draft agreement, holding technical meetings online in June, and preparing for the third round of negotiations, expected to take place in Vietnam.

ESTABLISHING A TRADE MECHANISM THAT REFLECTS THE DEPTH OF A STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

On the sidelines of the negotiations, Minister Nguyễn Hồng Diên and Ambassador Jamieson Greer held a bilateral meeting to review progress and set strategic direction for the next phase.

The U.S. side highly valued Vietnam’s goodwill and reform efforts, while Vietnam reaffirmed its desire to establish a stable, mutually beneficial trade mechanism that reflects the depth of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

Minister Nguyễn Hồng Diên emphasized:
"Vietnam is committed to promoting institutional economic reform and protecting the legitimate interests of businesses and consumers in both countries. A Reciprocal Trade Agreement will provide a solid legal foundation for bilateral trade relations in the coming decade."

Although the second round of talks did not conclude with a signed agreement, it clearly defined the technical and political roadmap for the next stage. It also laid the groundwork for a multi-layered dialogue ecosystem — not only between government agencies, but also between governments and businesses, particularly in strategic technology and innovation sectors.

Positive signals from both sides indicate that a bilateral trade agreement is within reach in 2025, aligning with the shared aspiration to elevate the relationship as affirmed in the Joint Statement on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership announced late last year.

Source: VnEconomy