US Trade Representative M. Froman in Hanoi
* The US asked Vietnam to comply with the international regulations on intellectual property, the environment and labour, which would facilitate the timely conclusion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, visiting Trade Representative Michael Froman told President Truong Tan Sang in Hanoi on October 22.
Once the deal is signed, Vietnam will see a number of benefits, including stronger inflows of investment, he said.
Froman praised the Vietnamese fishermen for establishing a fisheries union, saying that the move benefitted the ongoing TPP talks.
He assured the host of the US’s continued support for Vietnam on its path to becoming a prosperous economy deeply integrated into the global market.
President Truong Tan Sang agreed with Froman that the TPP negotiations are progressing soundly, and affirmed that Vietnam will do its best to narrow the development gap between other countries in the region.
He asserted that Vietnam will also adopt international criteria and standards, including those set out by the International Labour Organisation, of which Vietnam is a member.
Vietnam and the US will continue their discussions to reach agreement on existing differences, the President said.
He also called upon the US to fully lift its ban on arms sales to Vietnam in a timely manner.
* National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung welcomed US Trade Representative Michael Froman in Hanoi on October 21, saying that Vietnam always stands ready to boost its comprehensive cooperation with the US, especially in trade and investment.
The Vietnamese legislature strongly supports the signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement to meet the aspirations and interests of the two peoples, he said.
The top legislator stated that the global peace, stability and prosperity depend much on the close collaboration among nations, including the US and Vietnam, while voicing his hope that the bilateral ties will develop fruitfully in the future.
For his part, Michael Froman suggested both countries exert greater efforts to soon reach the TPP agreement, adding that the deal will offer a great opportunity for economic development and usher in a new chapter for economic and political cooperation between Vietnam and the US.
The guest said he himself and the US Government always back the promotion of the multifaceted partnership with the Southeast Asian country.
* Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh and visiting US Trade Representative Michael Froman expressed their hope for the early signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement during their meeting in Hanoi on October 21.
Deputy PM Ninh said that despite a number of difficulties, Vietnam is strongly determined to successfully negotiate with the US on the agreement, adding that the US should consider Vietnam’s main interests in products of its strength such as garment and footwear.
Vietnam is exerting efforts to join the TPP free market and together with the US overcome every challenge in the negotiation process, he affirmed.
For his part, Michael Froman informed that Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang and he discussed measures to narrow gaps and increase consensus in a number of contents.
He expressed his wish that the negotiations for the agreement will be soon concluded.-VNA
