Vietnam is ready to discuss economic issues with the United States

Vietnam stands ready to maintain frequent contact with the US to resolve emerging issues, a foreign ministry spokesman said on Thursday as the US officially launched an investigation into bypassing steel pipes imported from Vietnam.

Speaking at the ministry's regular press briefing, spokeswoman Le Tho Thu Hong noted that the comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and the United States has recorded progress in all areas, including the economy, trade and investment.

Vietnam is the leading US trading partner in Southeast Asia, which in turn is Vietnam's second largest trading partner. In 2021, bilateral trade has exceeded US$110 billion.

She stressed that Vietnam welcomes the policy of developing economic, trade and investment ties with the United States based on freedom, equality, mutual benefit and adherence to bilateral agreements and WTO rules.

Vietnam has been willing to maintain frequent contact with the United States through existing mechanisms such as the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement to timely address emerging issues and strengthen bilateral economic, trade and investment relations for the benefit of the enterprises and enterprises of the two countries. man, Hong noted.

“In this spirit, we are ready and willing for the United States to discuss this issue with us,” the spokeswoman added.