Minister of Industry and Trade Trần Tuấn Anh talks on the phone with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer on January 7 on bilateral economic and trade issues.  VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — The US Trade Representative (USTR) has decided against recommending punitive tariffs on Vietnamese exports, the Ministry of Industry and Trade said on Saturday.

The report on findings in the Section 301 investigation of Việt Nam’s acts, policies, and practices related to currency valuation was released on Friday.

The ministry informed the press that the USTR’s report provided comprehensive information regarding the case, including the reasons for and purposes of the investigation.  

The report did not mention or recommend imposing tariffs or any sanctions on Việt Nam’s exports, the ministry said, noting that the efforts made at all levels, from Government leaders to officials of ministries, sectors, agencies, associations and businesses of both Việt Nam and the US have brought about positive outcomes.

The ministry, as chair of the Việt Nam section in the Việt Nam-US Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Council and the agency authorised to work with the US in handling the case, welcomed the conclusion of the USTR’s report.

The USTR’s decision has a positive meaning for bilateral trade, Việt Nam’s business and investment environment and co-operation between the two countries, the Ministry of Industry and Trade said.

According to the ministry, immediately after the report’s release, Myron Brilliant, executive vice president of the US Chamber of Commerce, announced the US business community welcomed the news that the Trump administration will not impose tariffs on goods from Việt Nam.

“Trade actions are an inappropriate means by which to address currency valuation questions,” he said in a statement, adding that the business community strongly encourages the US to foster a closer strategic and commercial partnership with Việt Nam as the country grows in importance as a commercial market.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade stressed that Việt Nam attaches importance to its economic and trade relations with the US, considering those relations an important pillar and a driver of bilateral ties between Việt Nam and the US.

Việt Nam will continue with efforts to open up the market, intensify policy dialogue through TIFA Council mechanisms and implement bilateral co-operation agreements to produce substantial outcomes and address the concerns of the US and Việt Nam, maintaining stable trade ties towards a sustainable and harmonious trade balance that benefits both sides.

“The Ministry of Industry and Trade, as co-chair of the TIFA Council, along with Vietnamese ministries and sectors, is willing to talk with officials at all levels of the USTR and relevant agencies, including at ministerial or working levels, in any form, to address concerns and create specific progress in outstanding problems in economic and trade relations between the two countries, in a co-operative, goodwill and constructive spirit, so that the two sides can officially end the investigations,” a representative of the ministry said. — VNS