No distance in agriculture between Vietnam and the US

In his opening remarks, Minister Le Minh Hoan welcomed the USDA delegation and stated that despite the time difference, there was no distance in the agricultural partnership between the United States and Vietnam.

USDA Undersecretary Alexis Taylor expressed her appreciation for the USD 10 billion total commerce volume between the two countries. The figure shows that the agricultural products of the two countries are complementary. In addition to trade, Under Secretary Jenny Moffitt noted that the two countries had achieved a number of other milestones, including the exchange of knowledge and the protection and development of agriculture for mutual benefit, including the research and pilot testing of an African Swine Fever vaccine.

The understanding

Minister Le Minh Hoan recalled his time as a local official in the Vietnamese mango production hub. He did witness the initial mango container export to the United States.

"For the export of mangoes to the U.S. market, we require approximately ten years of discussion," said Mr. Hoan. "I hope that we can enhance the process to shorten the negotiation period for new items."

In recent years, the United States and Vietnam have opened markets for a variety of agricultural products, including US livestock products, and are considering encouraging the extension of the United States import product list.

The Minister explained, "On the contrary, we expect that the United States would promote and assist the export of Vietnamese fisheries and forestry goods to your market, particularly in technical matters."

The agricultural leader also urged the American side to establish standards for Vietnam's export of agricultural goods and to promote capacity development for human resources in all sectors of the agriculture business in order to have better access to these standards.

He asserted that agriculture in Vietnam was not simply an economic enterprise, but also a social structure integral to the lives of a lot of farmers. Every single change in trade would affect the livelihoods of millions of farmers. "Therefore, we would be pleased if the United States listened and changed the anti-dumping tax rate on honey products," he said, anticipating a deeper understanding between the United States and Vietnam in the agricultural sector.

Addressing this topic, Ms. Alexis Taylor stated that the United States is dedicated to providing straightforward legal concerns for honey products so that the Vietnamese side, particularly beekeepers, may comprehend this issue and collaborate with tax authorities.

The US Deputy Secretary of Agriculture stated, "We anticipate positive export growth of Vietnamese forest products to the United States."

Adopting science to adapt to changes

Addressing the development of agricultural goods, Mr. Le Minh Hoan stated that Vietnam is dedicated to establishing a transparent and accountable agricultural sector in international commerce, particularly trade with the United States. "Like genetically modified items, Vietnam has a very open attitude and will encourage the examination of these products," the Minister stated.

From the US side, Deputy Secretary Alexis Taylor stated that she was impressed with the approval issue's recent progress, but that it has recently slowed down.

"According to my information, the United States has submitted four dossiers to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, but no information has been received; six additional dossiers are also awaiting permission; we hope to get updates on these files," she stated.

In response to this question, Minister Le Minh Hoan stated that the MARD has authorized 52 dossiers of genetically modified goods and that Vietnam would soon establish a committee to assess the remaining 4 dossiers. "Recently, the evaluation process has been delayed due to several arrangements, so we have not been able to organize this inter-ministerial council," he explained.

In evaluating existing scientific answers, Ms. Alexis Taylor stated that technology plays a crucial part in addressing climate change and food security challenges. Hence, it is clear that biotechnology has a role in assisting farmers and consumers as well as mitigating the effects of climate change. The head of the United States Department of Agriculture stated, "This year, we will have additional forums to debate this topic, and we look forward to the involvement of the Minister and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam."

Minister Le Minh Hoan concurred with the aforementioned viewpoint and asserted that the two nations should not limit their cooperation to commerce alone, but should also encourage Vietnam's agriculture industry to have access to the sophisticated biotechnology accomplishments of the two nations.

Mr. Hoan urged that the two nations enhance enterprise connections through bilateral forums in order to utilize the mutual potential and increase trade and investment, particularly in technology.

In addition, on the eve of the 2023 lychee harvest, Minister Le Minh Hoan requested cooperation from the United States in order to acknowledge an irradiation facility in Hanoi that complies with the norms in order to create advantageous business circumstances. Because they must now be carried to the South for irradiation, the exporting industry in the North would incur fewer expenses if they would not have to transfer their products for irradiation.

Ms. Alexis Taylor said that the United States will assist Vietnam in completing a certified irradiation plant in the North before the May lychee export season and has given technical materials to the nations. Vietnamese coworkers. In addition, Vietnam will collaborate with the United Nations in April 2019 to convene a global food forum with the goal of establishing a transparent, responsible, and sustainable food industry.