Vietnam is signaling a renewed willingness to work with the United States on a trade agreement as Hanoi attempts to revive negotiations over tariffs, market access and concerns about goods being routed through the Southeast Asian country.
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang reiterated Vietnam’s readiness for “open, constructive” discussions during a meeting with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington. The talks come as both countries seek to complete a broader tariff arrangement after months of negotiations.
Vietnam Seeks to Restart Momentum
The latest meeting reflects Hanoi’s effort to inject momentum into negotiations that have been moving slowly.
Vietnam is highly dependent on international trade, with exports playing a central role in its economic growth. Maintaining predictable access to the US market is therefore a major priority for the government.
Vietnamese officials have emphasized their willingness to address Washington’s concerns while seeking an arrangement that protects the competitiveness of Vietnamese exporters.
The government has also been actively engaging US companies and trade groups to encourage investment and strengthen commercial ties.
Washington’s Concerns
One of the biggest obstacles is the US concern that Chinese goods could be routed through Vietnam to avoid American tariffs.
Vietnam has become a major manufacturing hub as companies have diversified supply chains away from China. That shift has helped increase Vietnamese exports to the United States, but it has also attracted greater scrutiny from Washington.
US officials want stronger assurances that Vietnam will prevent illegal transshipment and improve enforcement of trade rules.
Hanoi has indicated that it is prepared to cooperate on these issues.
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus
The pressure is particularly important because Vietnam has developed an enormous trade surplus with the United States.
US imports from Vietnam have risen sharply as manufacturers expand production there. Recent data cited by the Wall Street Journal showed Vietnam’s US trade surplus reaching about $114 billion in the first half of 2026, putting it ahead of several other major US trading partners.
That imbalance makes Vietnam a more visible target for US trade policymakers.
Washington wants greater access for American goods while also ensuring that Vietnam does not become a channel through which Chinese products enter the US market under a different origin.
Vietnam Wants Investment
Hanoi has another reason to maintain constructive relations with Washington: investment.
Vietnam wants to move beyond low-cost manufacturing and attract more advanced production in areas such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence and research and development.
Vietnamese leaders recently urged US chipmaker Qualcomm and South Korea’s Samsung to increase investment in AI, semiconductor technology and R&D.
A stable trade relationship with the United States could make Vietnam more attractive to international companies looking for diversified supply chains.
Supply Chains Are Changing
Vietnam has benefited significantly from the restructuring of global manufacturing.
Companies looking to reduce dependence on China have expanded production in Vietnam, particularly in electronics, footwear, furniture and consumer goods.
This transformation has created jobs and increased exports.
But it has also created a difficult diplomatic problem.
The more manufacturing Vietnam attracts, the greater the risk that Washington questions whether Vietnamese exports genuinely reflect domestic production or contain a significant amount of Chinese content.
That makes stronger customs enforcement increasingly important.
Hanoi Offers Cooperation
Vietnam has already taken steps to address some of Washington’s concerns.
The country’s National Assembly recently approved amendments to customs legislation that strengthen authorities’ ability to intercept counterfeit and intellectual-property-infringing goods. The changes are also relevant to concerns raised during US trade discussions.
Such measures can help Hanoi demonstrate that it is willing to improve enforcement rather than simply defend its export growth.
The challenge will be convincing US officials that implementation is effective.
The Tariff Question
Tariffs remain the central economic issue.
Vietnamese exporters need clarity because uncertainty over future US duties makes it harder for companies to plan production and investment.
A stable agreement could encourage more multinational companies to build factories in Vietnam.
But Washington is likely to demand concessions in return.
Those could include greater access for US exports, stronger rules of origin, increased monitoring of transshipment and commitments to reduce trade imbalances.
Vietnam Has Limited Room
Hanoi must also be careful not to make concessions that damage its own economy.
Vietnam’s export model depends heavily on foreign-invested manufacturers.
If US tariffs become too high, companies could reconsider Vietnam as a production base.
At the same time, if Vietnam accepts overly broad demands from Washington, it could make manufacturing more expensive and reduce its competitiveness against other Asian economies.
The government therefore needs a deal that addresses US concerns without undermining Vietnam’s role in global supply chains.
The US Relationship Is Strategic
The trade negotiations are part of a broader relationship.
Vietnam and the United States have upgraded their diplomatic ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, creating a framework for deeper cooperation in areas extending beyond trade.
US Ambassador Jennifer Wicks said recently that the two countries are working on a roadmap to translate that partnership into concrete projects and measurable outcomes.
Economic cooperation is likely to remain one of the most important elements of that relationship.
Vietnam Looks Beyond the US
Hanoi is also expanding trade relationships with other major economies.
Vietnam has been strengthening links with Europe and other markets as global trade becomes increasingly fragmented.
The country recently concluded a free-trade agreement with EFTA countries, adding another potential source of market access and investment.
That diversification gives Vietnam some protection against excessive dependence on the US market.
But replacing American demand would be extremely difficult given the scale of Vietnamese exports to the United States.
China Complicates the Picture
Vietnam’s relationship with China is another major factor.
China remains one of Vietnam’s most important economic partners and a critical source of components and intermediate goods.
Vietnamese factories frequently rely on Chinese inputs even when final products are assembled domestically.
That makes strict separation between Chinese and Vietnamese supply chains difficult.
Hanoi therefore has to reassure Washington without damaging its economic relationship with Beijing.
A Delicate Balancing Act
Vietnam’s strategy is becoming increasingly clear: remain open to US demands, strengthen trade enforcement and continue attracting international investment while maintaining economic ties with China.
That balancing act will become harder if US officials impose stricter rules on Chinese content.
Vietnam’s economic success has partly depended on being a bridge between Asian supply chains and Western consumer markets.
The government now needs to prove that this position is sustainable under a more protectionist global trade system.
Conclusion
Vietnam’s renewed commitment to “open, constructive” trade talks with the United States reflects the importance of maintaining stable access to the American market.
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang’s meeting with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer comes at a critical point as the two countries try to complete a tariff agreement and address Washington’s concerns about trade fraud and illegal routing of goods through Vietnam.
The stakes are high.
Vietnam has become one of the biggest beneficiaries of global supply-chain diversification, attracting manufacturers seeking alternatives to China. That has helped drive a dramatic increase in exports to the United States, but it has also produced a huge trade surplus that Washington is increasingly focused on.
Hanoi therefore needs to demonstrate that its export growth is based on genuine production rather than tariff avoidance.
Improved customs enforcement, stronger rules of origin and greater cooperation with US authorities could help build trust.
At the same time, Vietnam must protect its competitiveness. Excessively costly trade concessions could undermine the very manufacturing base that has made the country attractive to global investors.
The broader US-Vietnam relationship provides some reason for optimism. Both governments have an interest in expanding economic and strategic cooperation, while American and international companies continue to view Vietnam as an important alternative manufacturing hub.
The negotiations will ultimately test whether Vietnam can maintain that position while satisfying a more demanding US trade policy.
For Hanoi, the objective is not simply to avoid tariffs. It is to secure a predictable relationship with Washington that allows Vietnam to continue moving up the global supply chain.
