HANOI – United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai met today with Vietnam’s Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyễn Hồng Diên.
Ambassador Tai thanked Minister Diên for his hospitality during her first trip to Vietnam as United States Trade Representative.
Ambassador Tai and Minister Diên welcomed the 10th anniversary of the U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership. They reflected on the strength and importance of the bilateral relationship, and committed to working together on shared priorities. Ambassador Tai expressed her interest in advancing bilateral economic cooperation under the U.S.-Vietnam Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA). Both ministers agreed to hold a TIFA meeting in 2023 and encouraged their teams to intensify technical discussions on a range of issues, including labor reforms, environment, digital trade, agriculture, and intellectual property. This would mark the first U.S.-Vietnam TIFA meeting since 2019 and underscores the Biden Administration’s commitment to intensive bilateral engagement.
Ambassador Tai and Minister Diên welcomed the progress made following the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) ministerial meetings in September 2022 to create a high-standard agreement that can advance sustainable and inclusive economic growth throughout the region.
Finally, Ambassador Tai highlighted the United States’ priorities for the 2023 APEC host year, particularly on creating resilient and sustainable trade policy. She said she looked forward to welcoming Vietnam to Detroit, Michigan for the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade meeting in May 2023.
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