From November 12-14 in Washington DC, under the direction of Minister Nguyen Hong Dien, Head of the Government’s Negotiating Delegation, and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, the technical-level negotiating round of the Fair and Balanced Reciprocal Trade Agreement, between Vietnam and the US continued as scheduled, with efforts aimed at achieving positive outcomes.

Following the Ministerial-level negotiating session between Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, Head of the Government’s Negotiating Delegation and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Head of the US Negotiating Delegation, which took place on the afternoon of November 10, on the morning of November 12, 2025, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, and Deputy Head of the Government’s Negotiating Delegation Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan held a working session with Deputy US Trade Representative Rick Switzer at the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR), officially launching the technical negotiating sessions.

The meeting took place in an open, frank, and constructive atmosphere, focusing on bilateral economic-trade relations and the implementation of outcomes achieved at the 8th Ministerial-level Negotiating Session, between Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on November 10, 2025, aimed at advancing negotiations on the the Fair and Balanced Reciprocal Trade Agreement. Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan exchanged several issues related to the outcomes of the 8th Ministerial-level Negotiating Session and agreed on specific matters for the two sides’ technical negotiating groups to continue addressing in order to ensure the highest results.

This is considered an important next step, setting directions for the technical groups during this negotiating round, and demonstrating both sides’ commitment to fostering stable, balanced, fair, and sustainable trade cooperation.

Deputy US Trade Representative Rick Switzer acknowledged the positive progress Vietnam has made in trade policy, institutional reforms, and international integration commitments, as well as the results of recent negotiating rounds, while affirming that close cooperation between the two sides will facilitate the negotiation process.

The two sides agreed to continue close coordination and enhance exchanges among the technical groups in order to advance negotiations on the Fair and Balanced Reciprocal Trade Agreement, in line with the guidance of senior leaders and ministers of both countries, with a view to soon completing a new bilateral trade cooperation framework that contributes to deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and the US.

Immediately following the working session, the negotiating delegations of both countries promptly began work in their respective groups to negotiate the agreed-upon agenda items.

Later that afternoon, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien held a working session with Rock Bordelon, Chairman, along with leaders Charles Paddock and Rodrigo Garza Perez of Gulf of America Energy Sourcing LLC (GAES), a US energy corporation headquartered in Louisiana. 

Minister Nguyen Hong Dien also held a meeting with Joseph (Joe) Damond, Global Chair of International Trade Policy and Science at Crowell Global Advisors (CGA). He previously served as Deputy US Trade Representative (1989-2001) and Head of the Negotiating Delegation for the Vietnam - US Bilateral Trade Agreement (1995-2000).

The Minister acknowledged and highly appreciated GAES’s proposals, affirming that Vietnam encourages participation in the development of liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure and energy markets in Vietnam.