Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis M. Taylor led a delegation of US agribusinesses to the "Great American Barbeque Festival 2024 by United Tastes" hosted by the US Embassy in Hanoi.

This was part of the delegation's 5-day working visit to Vietnam. With more than 100 members, including 50 representatives from 35 agribusinesses, agencies from 9 US states and 21 associations, this is the largest US agricultural mission to visit Vietnam since the two countries normalized relations.

US Under Secretary of Agriculture Alexis M. Taylor speaks at the Great American Barbeque Festival 2024 by United Tastes in Hanoi on September 12. Photos: Viet Anh/The Hanoi Times

On behalf of the American people, both Under Secretary Alexis M. Taylor and US Ambassador to Vietnam Mark Knapper expressed their deepest condolences to the victims of Typhoon Yagi and pledged to help Vietnam recover from the typhoon's aftermath.

Ambassador Mark Knapper also praised the efforts to elevate the US-Vietnam relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, which included positive steps in agricultural trade relations. "This connection helps the two nations understand each other better, and create a brighter future in the field of agriculture of both countries," he said.

US Ambassador to Vietnam Mark Knapper speaks at the Great American Barbeque Festival 2024 by United Tastes. 

Under Secretary Alexis M. Taylor expressed her appreciation for exploring the great business opportunities in Vietnam for American farm and plantation owners.

“Great American Barbeque Festival 2024 by United Tastes” is organized annually by the US Embassy in Vietnam, aiming to introduce American food, beverages, agricultural products, and American culture to Vietnamese importers, retailers, hotels, restaurants, and chefs. It is also an opportunity for participants to enjoy dishes prepared with ingredients imported directly from the United States.

Vietnam remains America's top agricultural partner

Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the Great American Barbeque Festival 2024 by United Tastes, Under Secretary Alexis M. Taylor said the delegation's main focus in Vietnam is to engage with key importers through direct business-to-business meetings.

“Vietnam is a leading market and creates many new opportunities for US agricultural and food products. Throughout 2023, bilateral trade turnover between the two countries reached US$8.3 billion in the agricultural and food sector alone”, she said.

“We see new opportunities for US agriculture and food industry in Vietnam, such as fresh fruits, meats, and consumer goods. More Vietnamese joining the middle class means more diverse demands from them”, the Under Secretary added.

American-made food products featured at the 2024 Great American Barbeque Festival by United Tastes.

Alexis M. Taylor also saw the development of Vietnam's livestock industry as an opportunity for the United States to export world-class genetic products and associated feeds.

She emphasized that agriculture is a complementary sector and can help promote domestic agricultural growth. Vietnam has been a strong participant in the Sustainable Productivity Alliance, and the US has bilateral programs to strengthen Vietnam's agricultural resilience.

In addition, Vietnam and the United States are working closely to strengthen climate change adaptation and sustainable agriculture, which have long been priorities at the national and local levels in both countries.

 American-made food products featured at the 2024 Great American Barbecue Festival by United Tastes.

The delegation's visit comes after Vietnam opened its market to US peaches and nectarines. It also marks the first anniversary of the two countries upgrading their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

According to the USDA report, Vietnam is currently the 10th largest agricultural exporter to the US, while the US is Vietnam's third largest supplier of food and agricultural products.