Seminar discusses Vietnam-US trade ties in new context
Trade relations between Vietnam and the US will continue expanding but will also be affected by challenges in the future, heard a seminar in Hanoi on November 14.
A tuna processing line at the factory of the Binh Dinh Fishery JSC in Binh Dinh province (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Trade relationsbetween Vietnam and the US will continue expanding but will also be affected bychallenges in the future, heard a seminar in Hanoi on November 14.
Opening the event, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cu Chi Loi,Director of the Institute of American Studies under the Vietnam Academy ofSocial Sciences, said since Vietnam-US relations were normalised in 1995,bilateral trade ties have been growing.
The US is a major trade partner of Vietnam, henoted, adding that Vietnam’s shipments to the American market are rising, withthe US becoming Vietnam’s biggest importer at present.
Talking about the US foreign policy and itsimpact on Vietnam, Dr. Nguyen Thi Hai Yen from the Institute of AmericanStudies said the US highly values Vietnam’s role in its Indo-Pacific Strategyas Vietnam has an important geographical and strategic location in theconnection of the two oceans.
The administration of US President Donald Trump attachesgreat importance to enhancing cooperation in politics, diplomacy, economy, defenceand security with Vietnam, Yen said.
She added that the Indo-Pacific Strategy willgenerate many opportunities as well as challenges for Vietnam since competitionin the region is entering a new phase that is more complicated, and risks offriction among big countries increases.
Regarding the prospects of Vietnam-US traderelations, Dr. Le Thi Van Nga, another expert from the institute, saidbilateral trade ties will keep developing with both exports and imports rising.However, they will be affected by the US’s trade policythat aims to protect domestic producers, as well as by other challenges in thefuture.
At the seminar, participants stressed the newcontext is posing considerable challenges to Vietnam during its integrationinto the world and promotion of economic ties with the US.
Therefore, Vietnam should perfect legalregulations on foreign trade, improve human resources’ capacity, reformproduction process by importing advanced technologies, and seek new exportdestinations to reduce dependence on certain large markets, they said./.
The US attaches special importance to developing cooperative ties with Vietnam in different fields, visiting US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross told Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) under the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has recognised Vietnam as a country eligible to export Siluriformes fish (catfish, including tra fish) and fish products to the US.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted a reception in Hanoi on November 8 for US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and a US business delegation who are in Vietnam for an official visit.
Under-Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney has led trade mission to Vietnam in an effort to boost agricultural exports from the US to the Southeast Asian nation.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has decided to suspend the import of plywood products to Vietnam for re-export to the US to prevent commercial fraud on goods' origin and illegal transshipment.
According to Mastercard data, Vietnam has recorded a remarkable 92% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in contactless transaction volume from Q4 2022 to Q4 2024.
Tuan expressed his confidence that LH, with its expertise and experience, would swiftly implement the urban area project, contributing to a modern urban landscape for the province.
With its strategic location, abundant workforce, and modern infrastructure, Vietnam holds significant potential to become a leading centre for power and electronics production in the region and the world.
The renewable energy workforce training and development centre, invested by Germany's GEO Group, is expected to be a cornerstone in shaping Binh Dinh as a renewable energy and innovation hub in central Vietnam, meeting the growing demand for skilled technical personnel in offshore wind, solar farms, and green hydrogen projects.
A notable trend is the shift toward satellite regions. With land scarcity and soaring prices in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, investors are eyeing provinces like Hung Yen, Bac Ninh, and Hai Phong, which are benefiting from improved technical infrastructure and transport connectivity.
To further strengthen private-sector innovation, Bac Ninh plans to accelerate administrative reforms, build a digital, service-oriented government, and develop an integrated innovation ecosystem that connects businesses with domestic and international institutions, universities, and experts.
The participation of H&M, one of the world's largest fashion corporations, in Vietnam International Sourcing 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City in early September is considered a special highlight, opening up many cooperation opportunities for Vietnamese businesses in the fashion, textiles and sustainable supply chains.
This latest order builds on a previous agreement signed at the Singapore Airshow last year for 40 engines, bringing the total number of Trent 7000 engines ordered by the airline to 80.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien acknowledged that despite concerted efforts by ministries and local authorities in combating fake and substandard goods, the situation remains highly complicated, attributing the persistent challenges to high profits luring numerous participants, increasingly sophisticated violations, limited resources within enforcement agencies.
The group also placed among the Top 5 energy companies in Southeast Asia and secured the top spot among the largest Vietnamese enterprises featured on the list.
The zone will cover 1,881 ha, comprising functional areas for production, logistics, trade and services, digital technology industry, information technology, and innovation.
Dung underlined several key objectives, including a comprehensive review of the legal framework governing SOEs, and called for updates that reflect international standards and support modern, transparent governance.
While the US market has become more difficult to access due to new tax policies, Australia could play the role of a trade cushion, helping to reduce shocks and maintain export momentum for Vietnam's shrimp industry.
Vietnam Cycle Expo 2025 will coincide with the Vietnam Sport Show 2025, an international exhibition on sports and outdoor entertainment, expected to attract more than 20,000 visitors in the three-day event.
Despite global economic uncertainties, Binh Duong has maintained strong momentum in both exports and industrial production during the first half of 2025.
A tuna processing line at the factory of the Binh Dinh Fishery JSC in Binh Dinh province (Photo: VNA) 
