A major highlight of the meeting was the mutual celebration of US peaches and nectarines gaining approval for export to Vietnam, marking a significant milestone in agricultural trade between the two nations.

Both sides also made substantial progress on other fruit market access issues, agreeing on technical standards for Vietnam’s passion fruit and advancing discussions on US’s mandarins.

Key outcomes included the finalisation of technical discussions, clearing the way for Vietnam’s passion fruit exports, and the initiation of market access procedures for other Vietnamese fruits such as seedless limes, guavas, and jackfruit.

The two sides also agreed on pest control measures and the next steps for US mandarins, plums, lemons, pomegranates, and others.

Deputy Secretary Hafemeister underscored the unprecedented level of cooperation with Vietnam and committed to further enhancing technical collaboration, particularly in disease control, risk analysis, and research.

He also pledged the US support for Vietnam in managing fertilisers, biological protection, and rice production in the Mekong Delta.

Deputy Minister Trung expressed optimism that the US will support Vietnam in trade defence consultations involving key agricultural products such as wood, warm-water shrimp, and honey. The US acknowledged the importance of these products to Vietnam’s rural economy and business interests.

The discussions also covered new approaches to phytosanitary measures, with both sides agreeing to adhere to international trade commitments while adapting to evolving trade and disease management trends. The US side pledged to assist Vietnam in implementing projects related to fertiliser management and biological protection.

Both sides agreed to adopt the ePhyto system for phytosanitary certification and explore diverse phytosanitary methods to reduce costs and facilitate trade. The US also endorsed Vietnam’s proposal for more diversified phytosanitary approaches and agreed to collaborate on the necessary trials.

On the occasion, Trung witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Cargill US and Vietnam’s Khai Anh Bnh Thuan company.

The agreement involves the import of 500,000 tonnes of corn and cornmeal for animal feed production in Vietnam, aiming to balance bilateral trade and diversify Vietnam’s feed production inputs.

This visit and the agreements reached reflect a deepening of the agricultural partnership between Vietnam and the US, with both countries committed to fostering stronger ties and promoting sustainable development in the sector./.