Baonghean - 11 February 2026
Vietnam and the United States will launch the sixth round of negotiations for a reciprocal trade agreement
By Thanh Vinh
Vietnam and the United States will officially begin the sixth round of negotiations for a reciprocal trade agreement next week. This is an important step to promote bilateral trade relations in a fair and balanced manner, while removing tariff and administrative barriers.
Expectations for a breakthrough in the new round of negotiations.
At the regular press conference for the fourth quarter of 2025, held on the morning of January 29, 2026, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan stated that, after five discussion sessions, both sides are ready for the sixth round of negotiations. The main objective of this session is to create positive progress in order to reach consensus on the core contents of the agreement.
To prepare for this round, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has closely coordinated with relevant ministries and agencies to develop the optimal negotiation plan. The Vietnamese side has sent its US counterparts technical specifications, detailed content, and specific order lists, demonstrating its commitment to facilitating the access of US goods to the domestic market.
Building on positive results in Washington DC.
The current negotiation process builds on the positive outcomes from the fifth round of direct talks, which took place in mid-November 2025 in Washington DC. During that session, the negotiating teams from both countries made significant progress in several key areas, including:
- Digital services and commerce:Standardize rules to promote the digital economy.
- Agriculture:Narrowing the gap in food safety and hygiene regulations (SPS).
- Technical barriers to trade (TBT):Simplify technical standards related to trade.
Notably, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) highly appreciated Vietnam's goodwill and innovative approach, particularly following the meeting between Minister Nguyen Hong Dien and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The U.S. side stated that it would consider Vietnam's requests based on the overall negotiation results.
Sustainable Trade Strategy 2026
In 2026, Vietnam is determined to persevere in the negotiation process while encouraging manufacturers to participate more deeply in global supply chains to ensure stability. The government encourages US businesses to expand their production and operations in Vietnam, creating a favorable investment environment.
Besides focusing on the US market, the Ministry of Industry and Trade emphasizes the task of promoting market diversification and making the most of the signed Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). This is considered a key solution to ensure sustainable import and export growth in the context of a volatile global economy.
