Vietnam-U.S. continue discussions and further steps towards completing the Reciprocal Trade Agreement. (Source: Vneconomy)

The Joint Statement was announced on the occasion of U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attending the ASEAN Summit held from October 26–28, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The Joint Statement is a document agreed upon by Vietnam and the United States to reflect the outcomes of reciprocal trade negotiations between the two countries to date, as well as to acknowledge the efforts of government agencies and businesses in both nations in building economic and trade relations based on balance, stability, and sustainability, aligning with the Vietnam-U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The Joint Statement addresses key contents of the Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade Agreement, whereby both Vietnam and the United States will cooperate constructively to address mutual concerns regarding non-tariff barriers, agree on commitments related to digital trade, services, and investment; discuss intellectual property, sustainable development, and enhance cooperation to strengthen supply chain resilience…

In the coming time, both sides will continue discussions and further steps towards completing the Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade Agreement on principles of openness, constructiveness, equality, respect for independence, sovereignty, political institutions, mutual benefits, and consideration of each other's development levels.

Since late April 2025, Vietnam and the United States have conducted numerous reciprocal trade negotiation sessions at both technical and ministerial levels.

The Vietnamese government negotiation delegation is led by Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, with members including leaders and officials from various ministries and agencies: Industry and Trade, Foreign Affairs, Public Security, Finance, Justice, Agriculture and Environment, Science and Technology, Home Affairs, Construction, Health, the State Bank, and the Vietnamese Embassy in the United States.

Several direct and online negotiation sessions have taken place between Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick.

In the early morning of August 1 (Vietnam time), the White House published President Donald Trump's Executive Order on adjusting reciprocal tariffs, whereby the United States adjusted reciprocal tariffs for 69 countries and territories listed in Annex I.

According to this Annex, the reciprocal tariff for Vietnam was reduced from 46% to 20%.