On June 4, Minister of Industry and Trade Le Manh Hung held a working session with the Multilateral Trade Policy Department and the Office of the Inter-sectoral Steering Committee for International Economic Integration.

The meeting aimed to review the implementation of tasks from the beginning of 2026 to date and discuss key priorities for the coming period. Also attending the session were Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan and leaders of affiliated units under the Ministry.

International economic integration work continues to be implemented comprehensively

At the meeting, leaders of the two units reported on their major activities during the first five months of the year. Accordingly, international economic integration continued to be implemented in a synchronized and comprehensive manner, achieving many substantive results. Notably, international economic integration remained an important driver of economic growth, with Vietnam’s total import-export turnover reaching more than USD 445 billion in the first five months of 2026, up 25% year-on-year.

Regarding the Office of the Inter-sectoral Steering Committee for International Economic Integration, the unit continued to play a central role in researching and advising on major policies and orientations related to international economic integration; coordinating Vietnam’s participation in international economic organizations; and leading and coordinating negotiations and the signing of free trade agreements (FTAs).

During the first five months of 2026, the Office proactively and actively carried out and completed a wide range of key tasks in line with the directives of the Government, the Prime Minister, leaders of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the Steering Committee. The Office also closely coordinated with relevant units under the Ministry as well as ministries and agencies in developing proposals for inter-agency working missions serving trade negotiations; establishing negotiation teams and organizing delegations to participate in negotiation rounds; and implementing FTAs according to schedule. Through the effective mobilization and utilization of resources, the Office focused on supporting negotiation activities, helping ensure Vietnam’s full, proactive and active participation in international economic cooperation frameworks, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of integration and strengthening the country’s position in the international arena.

Regarding the Multilateral Trade Policy Department, during the first five months of 2026, the Department actively monitored and urged the implementation of 34 tasks assigned to the Ministry of Industry and Trade under the Government’s Action Program pursuant to Resolution No.153/NQ-CP dated May 31, 2025, implementing the Politburo’s Resolution No.59-NQ/TW on international integration. The Department also took the lead in preparing plans and accompanying ministry leaders to numerous ASEAN and APEC economic and energy ministerial meetings.

In addition, the Department made active contributions to preparations for APEC 2027 in Vietnam, serving as Vietnam’s SOM Leader in APEC, Head of the Senior Economic Officials Meeting (SEOM) delegation and Head of the Senior Officials Meeting on Energy (SOME) delegation in ASEAN, while leading and representing Vietnam in various committees and working groups within ASEAN and APEC frameworks.

Regarding FTAs, negotiations on upgrades, new agreements and implementation activities within ASEAN during the first five months of 2026 were carried out according to plan and achieved positive results. Notable examples include the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA), the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement, the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA), and the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA).

The Multilateral Trade Policy Department also took the lead in developing substantive contents and negotiating positions while chairing several working groups during Vietnam’s CPTPP Chairmanship year. The Department successfully organized the CPTPP Senior Officials’ Meeting, made active contributions to the CPTPP-EU Dialogue, and supported accession negotiations involving prospective new members.

Feasibility studies and negotiations for new FTAs with several partners were also actively advanced in accordance with directives from competent authorities. At the same time, FTA implementation remained one of the Department’s priorities. Recent efforts included implementing the project to develop an index evaluating localities’ FTA implementation performance, continuing to operate and update Vietnam’s FTA Information Portal, and building an ecosystem to support enterprises in making better use of FTAs.

The Department also coordinated with ministries, agencies and relevant units in negotiations on the Reciprocal Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the US.

Regarding key tasks for the remainder of 2026, the Multilateral Trade Policy Department will continue coordinating with relevant units within the Ministry to formulate and implement strategies on participation in FTAs, import-export development, and sectoral development. It will also coordinate with ministries and agencies to prepare contents for senior leaders attending ASEAN and APEC summits, and support ministry leaders participating in meetings of the ASEAN Economic Community Council, ASEAN Economic Ministers' Meetings, ASEAN Energy Ministers' Meetings, APEC Energy Ministers' Meetings, and APEC Joint Meetings of Foreign and Trade Ministers.

The Department will also coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies in preparing for Vietnam’s third Trade Policy Review (TPR) and continue promoting FTA negotiations and implementation.

Enhancing the effectiveness of integration work

At the meeting, participants discussed a range of issues related to the implementation of key tasks by the Multilateral Trade Policy Department and the Office of the Inter-sectoral Steering Committee for International Economic Integration in the coming period.

At the session, Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan highly appreciated the coordination among units in carrying out international economic integration activities over the past period. According to the Deputy Minister, integration activities are becoming increasingly dynamic, involving larger workloads, faster processing requirements and more complex issues, requiring units to continue innovating, strengthening coordination and enhancing advisory capacity.

In the coming period, the Deputy Minister requested that the units focus resources on two key priorities: accelerating FTA negotiations and making thorough preparations for activities during Vietnam’s CPTPP Chairmanship year. He also urged continued efforts to implement the FTA Index, which evaluates the implementation of free trade agreements by localities.

Addressing the meeting, Minister Le Manh Hung acknowledged and commended the contributions of the Multilateral Trade Policy Department and the Office of the Inter-sectoral Steering Committee for International Economic Integration to the development of the industry and trade sector, as well as to the country’s achievements over 40 years of Doi Moi. The Minister particularly praised the responsibility, professionalism and dedication demonstrated by staff members while handling numerous difficult and complex issues related to trade and international integration.

Against the backdrop of rapid global changes driven by technology, emerging development trends and shifts in international economic relations, the Minister stressed that economic issues can no longer be approached from a single-sector perspective but instead require integrated, interconnected and cross-sectoral solutions.

Regarding international economic integration, the Minister requested the units to review, update and comprehensively assess development strategies, clearly identify key priorities and proactively develop response scenarios for potential future developments.

In addition to effectively utilizing traditional markets, the Minister called for expanding into new markets through FTAs and international cooperation frameworks, not only to support exports but also to meet the development needs of industry, energy and other key sectors of the economy.

The Minister emphasized the importance of coordination among units within the Ministry, between the Ministry of Industry and Trade and other ministries, agencies, localities and the business community. He also expressed confidence that officials working in the field of international integration would continue to uphold their tradition, solidarity and sense of responsibility to successfully fulfill all assigned tasks.