Vietnam, US seek stronger strategic partnership

Minister Dien told his guest that both sides have complementary economies, meaning there remains ample room for broader co-operation, not only in terms of energy and climate change, but also in other fields. 

During the meeting, the participants affirmed their all-out efforts to take joint ties to a strategic partnership.

At present, Vietnam is redoubling its efforts to fulfill its commitments at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), although the country needs the co-operation and support of partners, including the US.

Congratulating the American diplomat on his appointment as the US Ambassador to Vietnam, Minister Dien said he hoped Ambassador Knapper will be able to make breakthrough steps to take the comprehensive partnership between the two countries to new heights.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) will co-operate effectively and sincerely with the US in a bid to achieve these goals, especially in the fields of each other's potentials and common interests. This includes stabilisation of global supply chains, energy, and the digital economy on the principle of harmonisation of benefits, and the suitability for the circumstances, conditions, and capacity of each country.

In response, the US Ambassador said that the US embassy pledged to co-operate with the MoIT and the Vietnamese Government to elevate the comprehensive partnership between both sides to the level of a strategic partnership.

The US aspires to become the most important partner of the Vietnamese side in terms of energy security, food, and climate, the US diplomat said, adding that those represent areas where Vietnam can collaborate with the US Government and its private sector.

Ambassador Knapper applauded the approval of the Vietnam Low Emission Energy Project (V-LEEP) which is sponsored by the US Agency for International Development (USAID). He outlined his hope that the MoIT will facilitate the endorsement of a pilot programme on the direct power purchase agreement, along with the signing of the Letter of Intent on the Clean Energy Initiative.

These methods can serve to promote Vietnamese energy transformation, as well as creating opportunities to welcome investment flows in clean energy into the country, the US diplomat said.

Relating to the case of Vietnamese honey being investigated by the US Department of Commerce (DOC), Minister Dien urged for the use of appropriate and objective data sources. This should be done as part of wider efforts to ensure the principle of fair competition of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) when calculating the dumping margins of Vietnamese enterprises.

Minister Dien emphasised that the nation looks forward to receiving a positive, fair, and objective review of the DOC in the final conclusion of the case, ensuring that it is in compliance with WTO regulations towards harmonising the interests in bilateral trade and common goals of both sides.