The Vietnam - United States Trade Forum is an annual activity carried out by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam in coordination with many international units and organizations.

Attending the Forum were Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai; US Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Susan Burns; Deputy Director of the European and American Market Department Nguyen Hong Duong and more than 350 delegates.

Speaking at the opening of the forum, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai affirmed that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Joe Biden officially announced the elevation of the relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership on September 11. The year 2023 has created a solid foundation, helping cooperation activities between the two countries go deeper, in essence on all pillars, in which the economic - trade - investment pillar continues to play a driving role. central force promoting relations between the two countries.

Deputy Minister Do Thang Hai acknowledged that elevating the relationship between the two countries will create conditions for the two sides to enhance mutual understanding, build and strengthen trust, a very important foundation in a long-term relationship. between the two countries for many years to come. In that development process, the business communities of the two countries have played a very important role, helping bilateral trade relations between Vietnam and the United States achieve impressive growth. This success was achieved thanks to the Government and business communities of the two countries' coordinated efforts, focusing on promptly and effectively resolving priority trade issues.

Representative of the US delegation, US Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Susan Burns affirmed the close connection of the two economies, playing an important role in the resilience of the global supply chain and common prosperity. throughout the region. At the same time, he expressed his hope that bilateral relations will increasingly achieve more practical and effective results, bringing benefits to the communities and businesses of the two countries. Ms. Susan Burns expressed her hope that cooperation in all fields between Vietnam and the United States will increasingly develop and make new great strides.

Since 2018, the Vietnam - United States Trade Forum has become an annual event, providing information and updates on the direction of building economic, trade and investment development policies of Vietnam and Vietnam. USA. The forum contributes to supporting businesses and proposing the Governments of the two countries on solutions to promote bilateral cooperation. At the same time, the forum is also an important opportunity for the business communities of the two countries to meet and seek business cooperation opportunities.

At this year's Forum, experts provided updated information on new US policy trends, contributing to creating motivation for the two countries' business communities to build strategies to access and expand export markets. imports, promoting trade and investment exchanges between the two countries in a balanced and sustainable direction. Speakers and guests provided information about trends and new economic policies of the United States and Vietnam. Evaluation from the perspective of experts, managers and businesses on market shifting trends and impacts on bilateral import and export activities. In addition, issues about: prospects of the digital economy and energy transition issues; share approaches, market development and capacity building, adapting to technical requirements and regulations of the US market; Solutions to develop import and export and attract supply chains and FDI from the United States... are also mentioned.

According to US Customs statistics (as of the end of August 2023), Vietnam is the 10th largest trading partner of the United States with a total import-export turnover of about 79.4 billion USD, a decrease of 16,000 USD. 2% compared to 2022. Of which, exports to the United States reach 73.0 billion USD, imports from the United States reach 6.3 billion USD. Vietnam is still the third largest export surplus country to the United States, reaching 66.7 billion USD (after China with 181.8 billion USD and Mexico with 100.7 billion USD).

Minh Toan