On 20 November in Melbourne, Australia, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien held bilateral talks with Kazuchika Iwata, State Minister of the Cabinet Office of Japan.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Ministerial Council Meeting of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Public Security and several units under the Ministry of Industry and Trade also attended.

The two sides discussed issues of shared interest, including the expansion of CPTPP membership, ongoing negotiations to upgrade several provisions of the agreement, and Vietnam’s priorities for its CPTPP Chairmanship in 2026. Kazuchika Iwata emphasized that in the face of global economic and trade headwinds, strengthening and expanding economic linkages through high-standard FTAs such as the CPTPP is increasingly important.

He expressed hope that CPTPP members would soon reach consensus on the number of economies eligible to begin accession talks. On the upgrade process, he welcomed Vietnam’s position and approach, and called on both sides to continue close coordination to advance discussions on priority areas, particularly e-commerce and trade facilitation. He also highlighted Vietnam’s pivotal role as CPTPP Chair in 2026 in driving these discussions forward.

Minister Nguyen Hong Dien underscored the need for CPTPP members to focus on effective implementation to maximize the agreement’s benefits. On membership expansion, he reaffirmed Vietnam’s support for admitting new economies, provided the selection process is transparent and well-defined, and that adequate resources are allocated once accession negotiations commence.

Regarding the upgrade negotiations, the Minister reiterated Vietnam’s support for a balanced approach that reflects the interests of all members. He outlined Vietnam’s planned priorities for its 2026 Chairmanship and affirmed that Vietnam would maintain close consultations with Japan throughout the process.

Both Kazuchika Iwata and Minister Nguyen Hong Dien expressed satisfaction with the positive momentum in Vietnam - Japan economic and trade relations, and reaffirmed their commitment to continued mutual support during CPTPP implementation and upgrade negotiations, aligned with the two countries’ Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.