On the afternoon of February 2, 2026, on the sidelines of the sixth round of negotiations on the Vietnam - US Reciprocal Fair and Balanced Trade Agreement, Acting Minister Le Manh Hung, head of the Vietnamese negotiating delegation, held a working session with Jacob Helberg, US Deputy Secretary of State for economic growth, energy and the environment.

At the meeting, the two sides exchanged in-depth views on major orientations to promote bilateral economic cooperation as Vietnam and the US are accelerating the implementation of their comprehensive strategic partnership and entering a pivotal phase of negotiations on the reciprocal trade agreement.

Both sides agreed that expanding new pillars of cooperation with greater depth and higher added value would help consolidate a long-term foundation for Vietnam - US economic relations.

In discussions with the Acting Minister the US Deputy Secretary of State emphasized Washington’s strong interest in strengthening cooperation with Vietnam in key areas such as artificial intelligence, digital technology, energy, supply chains and new models of economic cooperation.

The US side expressed its interest and proposed that Vietnam support upcoming US investment projects in Vietnam, particularly in high-tech sectors.

For his part, Acting Minister Le Manh Hung affirmed that Vietnam acknowledges and highly values innovative cooperation proposals from the US side, including ideas to support US enterprises investing in Vietnam’s high-tech industries.

During the exchange, he also stressed that Vietnam regards supply chain cooperation with the US as a strategic pillar in its efforts to upgrade its position in global value chains, while expressing a desire to promote more substantive cooperation in high-tech industries, manufacturing, energy, aerospace and the green economy. Vietnam is ready to increase imports of high-tech products from the US, thereby contributing to a more balanced, sustainable and mutually beneficial trade relationship.

Regarding the bilateral trade negotiations, the Acting Minister reaffirmed that Vietnam remains committed to a dialogue- and cooperation-based approach and has demonstrated a very attractive level of market openness for US exports.

On that basis, he proposed that the US continue close coordination and create appropriate negotiating space commensurate with the comprehensive strategic partnership, with a view to concluding the reciprocal trade agreement at an early date and establishing a stable and predictable framework for businesses and investors in both countries.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the two sides agreed to maintain regular exchanges and enhance coordination at both policy and technical levels, thereby advancing new strategic, substantive and effective cooperation directions and making positive contributions to the stable and long-term development of Vietnam - US economic relations.