The US is committed to furthering bilateral cooperation with Vietnam through the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) and in the forthcoming negotiations on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF).

Overview of the meeting. Photos: Tran Manh

US Trade Representative Katherine Tai shared this view during an online discussion with Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai on April 2, who is currently in the US to attend the Vietnam Senior Leadership Program (VELP) 2024 from March 30 to April 8.

Tai also expressed delight at the development of the Vietnam-US relationship since the two countries elevated their status to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. She pledged active coordination to implement the agreed-upon contents of the Joint Statement, particularly in the trade and investment sector.

During the discussion with the US Trade Representative, Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai informed that Vietnam's consistent policy is to build an independent and self-reliant economy closely linked to active and extensive international integration, emphasizing that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework established in September 2023 will create new space and momentum for cooperation between the two countries in various fields.

Khai suggested that both countries continue to effectively implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework, especially in key areas such as trade, investment, and breakthrough sectors like science and technology, innovation, education, and training.

He believed that both sides need to concretize cooperation to bring tangible benefits to businesses and people of both countries.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai at the meeting.

Overseas Vietnamese integral part of Vietnam

At the meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai on the same day, representative intellectuals of the overseas Vietnamese community, including professors, doctors, and experts in fields such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, finance, healthcare, and law, who are currently working at Harvard University, reputable companies, and associations in Boston, highly praised Vietnam's socio-economic development achievements.

They asserted that Vietnam's international status and reputation continue to rise, especially after Vietnam and the US upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai and representatives of the overseas Vietnamese community in the US.

The representatives expressed pride and devotion to their homeland and country. They called on the Vietnamese National Assembly and Government to create more favorable conditions in terms of mechanisms and policies for overseas Vietnamese to contribute more to the country while also making some suggestions related to sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and financial market development, believing that Vietnam has the opportunity to narrow the gap and catch up with other countries in terms of scientific and technological capabilities, especially in emerging scientific fields.

Outlining the country's recent economic, social, and diplomatic achievements, the Deputy Prime Minister said the Vietnamese Government is vigorously implementing the goals set out in the five-year socio-economic development plan, with priority given to science and technology development, innovation, especially in sectors such as electronics-semiconductors, artificial intelligence.

Khai reiterated that the Party, State, and Government always consider the overseas Vietnamese community as an integral part of the nation and hope that the community will continue to have specific projects and activities to positively contribute to implementing Vietnam's socio-economic development priorities.

Taking note of the opinions, aspirations, and proposals of the attendees, Khai instructed relevant ministries, branches, and agencies to study and absorb them in the process of proposing policy solutions in the coming time.