Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyễn Minh Hằng meets John Goyer, Vice President for Southeast Asia at the US Chamber of Commerce (USCC), in Hà Nội on Monday. Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

HÀ NỘI — Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyễn Minh Hằng met with John Goyer, Vice President for Southeast Asia at the US Chamber of Commerce (USCC), in Hà Nội on Monday afternoon to discuss Việt Nam-US economic ties and preparations for APEC Year 2027.

At the meeting, Hằng commended the USCC’s role and positive contributions to promoting bilateral economic, trade and investment ties in recent years. She affirmed that Việt Nam attaches importance to its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the US and seeks to further develop the relationship in a substantive and effective manner, with stable, balanced and sustainable economic and trade cooperation.

Hằng also shared positive developments in negotiations on a reciprocal trade agreement between the two countries.

The Deputy FM welcomed Goyer’s return to Việt Nam for the Vietnam-US Business Summit, co-organised by the USCC, the Việt Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the American Chamber of Commerce in Việt Nam (AmCham).

She called on the USCC to continue serving as a bridge between the two business communities and to encourage US companies to expand investment, business operations and cooperation in Việt Nam, particularly in science, technology and innovation. 

On APEC cooperation, Hằng highlighted Việt Nam’s appreciation of the US’s important role as one of the founding members of the forum.

Regarding APEC Year 2027, she said Việt Nam is actively coordinating with member economies, the business community and other stakeholders to ensure thorough preparations in terms of both content and infrastructure.

One of the key objectives of APEC Year 2027 is to strengthen connectivity, broaden participation and encourage meaningful contributions from the private sector, she said. Việt Nam therefore hopes to see strong participation by US businesses in APEC Year 2027 activities, particularly the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, the APEC CEO Summit and sectoral ministerial meetings.

Goyer expressed his impression of Việt Nam’s proactive and urgent preparations, particularly its early consultations with APEC members. He affirmed that the USCC stands ready to work with Việt Nam and draw on its international business and expert networks to make practical contributions to the overall success of APEC Year 2027.

He also expressed confidence that the two countries would soon conclude negotiations on the reciprocal trade agreement, helping foster balanced, sustainable and mutually beneficial Việt Nam-US economic ties. — VNA/VNS