Public Security Minister receives US Trade Representative hinh anh 1
Politburo member and Minister of Public Security To Lam (L) and visiting US Trade Representative Katherine Tai at their meeting in Hanoi on February 13, 2023. (Photo: VNA)

Considering the US a top trade partner and export market of Vietnam, Lam affirmed that the Party, State and Government of Vietnam have consistently created favourable conditions for foreign and foreign-invested enterprises, including those from the US, to promote investment attraction and economic development.

The official said Vietnam supports efforts to deepen bilateral relations as well as multilateral cooperation mechanisms and initiatives led by the US that are beneficial to ensuring peace, stability, and development regionally and globally, including the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF).

He suggested the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) continue to promote its role in connecting the two Governments to strengthen the Vietnam - US Comprehensive Partnership; as well as create favourable conditions in terms of finance, technology, and human resources development in areas where Vietnam has needs such as digital economy, high technology, clean energy, health, environment, and infrastructure.

It is also necessary to research and promote bilateral and multilateral cooperation regarding the fight against fake news, especially given the strong growth of social networking platforms combined with advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), he noted.

The official told the USTR to closely work with Vietnamese law enforcement agencies in the investigation, exchange and verification of information on economic cases involving foreign elements via mutual legal assistance in criminal matters; cooperation in preventing and combating transnational and economic crimes; and strict handling of economic law violations such as smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods, among others.

For her part, Tai said a host of bilateral activities are awaiting the nations this year, with economic pillars expected to be strongly boosted. She pledged close collaboration with Vietnam in the field of e-commerce.

Expressing her delight at the Southeast Asian country’s achievements in the protection of intellectual property rights, she proposed the two sides mobilise experts in this area serving their exchange and cooperation.

Foreign Minister receives US Trade Representative

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son underlined the potential of Vietnam-US cooperation in climate change response, energy transition, digital transformation and green growth during a reception in Hanoi on February 13 for US Trade Representative Katherine Tai.

Tai is on her first visit to Vietnam which is also the first visit at the economic ministerial level of the Biden administration, starting a series of activities marking the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership.

Son suggested the US soon materialise its commitments to supporting Vietnam and countries in delivering on international agreements on climate change response, including the declaration on the Just Energy Transition Partnership.

Vietnam is ready to partner with the US to successfully hold APEC Year 2023, he said.

Tai, for her part, said the US attaches importance to strengthening partnership with Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean countries while ensuring the interests of its people and workers at home.

The US will give priority to strengthening cooperation frameworks to build efficient and sustainable economic and investment ecosystems, thereby creating a new driving force for regional economic development, she said.

She also shared priorities and plans of the APEC Year 2023 hosted by the US.

Host and guest reviewed bilateral cooperation within the framework of the APEC, discussions on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), sub-regional cooperation, climate change response, energy transition and digital transformation.

They emphasised the importance of promoting free, open and fair trade in line with international law, sustainable and inclusive growth in the region in which ASEAN countries play a central role.

Two-way trade between Vietnam and the US surpassed 123 billion USD last year, up 11% year on year./. VNA