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Vietnam

Vietnam signed a fairly comprehensive bilateral trade agreement (BTA) with the United States in 2000. It came into force in 2001. The BTA was part of the post-war "trade normalisation" process between the two countries and should be seen as strong precursor to a watertight US FTA. In June 2007, Hanoi and Washington signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, yet another step towards a possible FTA. And in December 2008, the two governments began negotiating a hardcore bilateral investment treaty (BIT), yet another.

In January 2007, Hanoi and Tokyo began talks towards a Japan-Vietnam deal, which was finally signed in December 2008. Shortly after, Vietnam began talks with Chile, with the FTA signed in 2011. Hanoi already signed an FTA with Israel back in 2004 and may join the TPP. It is also intending to negotiate FTAs with EFTA, Russia and Mexico

As a member of ASEAN, Vietnam is caught up in the bloc’s regional FTA dealings with Korea, the EU, China, Japan and India. The Vietnamese government has also signed a number of bilateral intellectual property and science & technology agreements with industrialised countries, as well as more than 30 BITs.

last update: May 2012
Photo: Phó Nháy/Wikimedia


US and Vietnam reach initial tariff deal
President Donald Trump said he will reduce tariffs on Vietnam while Hanoi will open its market to US agricultural products and strengthen rules of origin standards to cut down on transshipment.
Vietnam, US hold negotiations on new trade deal, ministry says
Vietnam and the United States held an online round of negotiations on a new trade deal on Thursday night, the Ministry of Industry and Trade said.
Vietnam, US conclude third round of bilateral trade talks
Vietnamese Minister Nguyen Hong Dien and US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick engaged in negotiations, making considerable progress on tariffs and trade cooperation, with plans for an upcoming online working-level meeting and virtual ministerial dialogue to resolve outstanding issues.
Third round of Vietnam-US reciprocal trade pact talks sees ’significant progress’
The third technical round of negotiations for a reciprocal trade agreement between Vietnam and the US has concluded in Washington, D.C.
Vietnam, US conclude second round of talks on reciprocal trade deal
Vietnam and the United States made progress during the second round of reciprocal trade agreement negotiations held in Washington D.C., focusing on harmonizing interests and addressing key economic and trade issues.
Vietnam says second round of trade talks started in Washington
Vietnam and the United States have commenced the second round of trade negotiations in Washington to address key issues and accelerate progress toward a bilateral trade deal.
Vietnam, US promote negotiations on reciprocal trade agreement
This was the first in-person negotiation at the ministerial level between the two countries to implement the negotiation of the Vietnam-US Reciprocal Trade Agreement as directed by the high-ranking leaders of both countries.
Vietnam seeks more free trade deals to drive growth as Trump tariff looms
Vietnam is seeking to speed up its negotiations for new free trade agreements while more effectively exploiting the 17 ones it has already signed, as its export-reliant economy is bracing for US tariffs.
Việt Nam, US to start negotiations on reciprocal trade agreement
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated that the US agreed to begin formal negotiations on a reciprocal trade agreement, including discussions on tariffs, and proposed that technical teams from both sides begin consultations immediately.
Vietnam envoy discusses enhanced trade, FTA with Sri Lanka trade minister
Vietnam Ambassador and Sri Lanka Trade Minister discussed the potential FTAs. It raises critical questions about Sri Lanka’s ability to leverage such partnerships effectively amidst its own economic challenges and the need for a more robust trade strategy that prioritizes national interests over mere economic engagement.