Proposing the USA to limit unneccesary technical barriers in agricultural trade

During a reception on April 19 for the US Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh suggested the two countries' Ministries of Agriculture further strengthen cooperation to diversify products and supply chains.

The government leader requested that the United States help Vietnam promote quick, sustainable, modern, and integrated agriculture; commercialize and increase the value of agricultural goods; and benefit consumers as well as the economies of the two nations.

The Prime Minister proposed that the United States complete the necessary procedures to open its market to Vietnamese products such as coconut and passion fruit; support the establishment of irradiation facilities in northern Vietnam to facilitate the export of fruits such as lychee, mango, pomelo, and dragon fruit; limit the use of unnecessary technical barriers and tools in agricultural trade with Vietnam; and assist Vietnam in planning and developing raw material areas and meeting U.S. standards.

Vietnam, for its part, is always willing to open markets and enhance imports of some agricultural goods from the United States. The Vietnamese leader also proposed that the US Department of Agriculture strengthen coordination and assist Vietnam in the green transformation, climate change response, technological transfer, digital transformation in agriculture, disease control, as well as research and production of vaccines, fertilizers, and animal feed, as well as increased scholarships and agricultural workforce training.

According to the Prime Minister, promoting agricultural cooperation between Vietnam and the United States would increase agricultural product consumption while also providing employment and livelihoods for farmers, particularly in remote and vulnerable areas such as the Mekong Delta.

US Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack stated that the US wants to strengthen connections with Vietnam, particularly in trade. He urged both parties to keep learning from each other's experiences in agricultural growth, particularly smart agriculture and climate change adaptation.

The US pledged to cooperate with relevant agencies in both nations to foster collaboration in areas identified by the Vietnamese PM, such as establishing irradiation facilities in northern Vietnam, satisfying the demands of the US and other markets, and growing markets for their agricultural goods.