Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang reiterated Vietnam's readiness for open and constructive trade talks during a meeting in Washington with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The discussions aim to reinvigorate months-long negotiations over a final tariff deal between the two nations.
According to a statement on the Vietnamese government website, Thang signaled Hanoi's willingness to ease US concerns regarding trade fraud and the illegal routing of exports through the country. The meeting takes place as both sides work to complete a tariff deal following a framework agreement reached in October.
Greer informed Thang that the United States wants to conclude negotiations soon on a reciprocal trade agreement. In recent months, US trade officials have pursued three simultaneous Section 301 investigations into Vietnam's trade practices amid stalled talks over transshipment and non-tariff barriers. The US administration aims to address the flow of illicit Chinese goods entering the US market through the Southeast Asian nation.
In April, Greer's office designated Vietnam as a priority foreign country in a report, accusing it of inadequate border controls and a failure to combat online piracy and counterfeit goods. The findings of this investigation are scheduled for release in November and could potentially lead to higher tariffs.
Data shows that Vietnam recorded the largest trade gap with the US in the first half of 2026, totaling $114 billion and surpassing China, Mexico, and Taiwan. Concurrently, Vietnam's imports from regional suppliers like China have surged as manufacturers increase production of export items, including electronic goods destined for American consumers.
In addition to trade discussions with government officials, Thang met with representatives from several major American corporations, including Qualcomm Inc., Visa Inc., Axon Enterprise Inc., and Caterpillar Inc. A separate statement from the Vietnamese government noted that these meetings were part of an effort to attract further US investments into the trade-dependent country.
"This diplomatic engagement highlights the critical balance emerging economies must maintain when managing large bilateral trade surpluses with major partners like the United States. For businesses operating in global supply chains, regulatory scrutiny regarding transshipment and border controls requires proactive compliance. As trade investigations and tariff discussions progress, companies must closely monitor policy shifts that could impact cross-border manufacturing, sourcing, and international market entry strategies." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes
