Vietnam has reaffirmed its willingness to hold “open, constructive” trade talks with the United States as both sides seek to revive negotiations on a final tariff agreement.
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang conveyed the position during a meeting with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington. The discussions come after months of negotiations over a reciprocal trade deal.
Vietnam also signalled its readiness to address US concerns over trade fraud and the illegal transhipment of goods through the country. Washington has been pressing Hanoi to strengthen controls on goods, particularly those originating in China, that could be rerouted through Vietnam to avoid US tariffs.
Bloomberg reported that Greer told Thang that the US wants to conclude the negotiations soon, while Vietnam is seeking an assessment of the measures it has taken to address American concerns.
The push to reach an agreement comes as Vietnam’s trade surplus with the US reached US$114 billion in the first half of 2026, the largest among America’s trading partners during the period. At the same time, Vietnamese imports from China have risen sharply as manufacturers expand production for export.
The two sides now face pressure to resolve outstanding issues, including transhipment and non-tariff barriers, as they work towards a final trade agreement.
