Vietnam and the United States to Sign Agreements to Avoid Tariffs

Vietnam and the United States to Sign Agreements

Vietnam expects to sign agreements with the United States this week following a meeting between its trade minister and US trade and energy officials. This development comes after weeks of conciliatory messages from Vietnam to Washington in an attempt to avoid tariffs imposed by the Trump administration due to Vietnam's large trade surplus with the United States.

A document from Vietnam's trade ministry outlines the schedule for Trade Minister Nguyen Hong Dien's trip to the United States this week. The document also lists energy companies and government departments that have been asked to send representatives to accompany Dien.

Last week, the Vietnamese government announced that Dien, who is also responsible for energy and industry policy, would travel to the United States on Thursday, March 13th, to meet with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. However, no details about potential deals or topics of discussion were provided.

Officials have publicly indicated Vietnam's intention to purchase US liquefied natural gas for its emerging industry and to potentially revise duties on various imports, including ethanol, LNG, and agricultural products. State-controlled gas and energy companies, including PetroVietnam Gas, PetroVietnam Power, and EVN, have been asked to send delegates on Dien's trip to the United States, according to the ministry document.

This event is part of regular meetings between US and Vietnamese trade officials under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement signed in 2007. The document indicates that Dien will first meet with Greer on Thursday before working with officials from the US Department of Energy and witnessing the signing of "a number of agreements" the following day. He will then meet with officials from the Department of Commerce and industry groups with "interests in Vietnam." The document does not specify whether the meeting times are listed according to US or Vietnam time, which could affect the days on which the meetings take place.