Vietnam expected improved market access for its agricultural exports in the US and the completion of import procedures for specific items such as coconuts and passion fruit in the near future.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. Photo: Nhat Bac/VGP

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh gave the remarks during a meeting with US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on April 19.

The Prime Minister also urged the US to extend support to Vietnam in promoting fast, sustainable, modern, and integrated agriculture, as well as in commercializing and adding value to agricultural products, for the benefit of consumers and the economies of both countries.

He expressed hope for US assistance in establishing an irradiation facility in the North of Vietnam to facilitate the export of lychee, mango, pomelo, and dragon fruit, and in reducing unnecessary tools and technical barriers in agricultural trade.

Chinh called for the US to support Vietnam in planning and developing raw material areas that meet US standards for the safety and hygiene of agricultural products.

“US businesses are encouraged to invest in Vietnamese agriculture, as the country is ready to open its market and increase imports of selected American agricultural products,” Chinh said.

The Prime Minister also appealed to the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) for assistance in several areas, including green transition, climate change adaptation, technology transfer, and digital transformation of agriculture. He also highlighted the need for assistance in disease control, research, and production of vaccines, crop protection products, and animal feed, in addition to increased scholarships and human resources training for the agricultural sector.

The Prime Minister emphasized that strengthening agricultural cooperation between Vietnam and the US would help increase consumption of agricultural products, create jobs, and improve the livelihoods of farmers, especially in remote and vulnerable areas affected by war, Agent Orange, and the effects of climate change, particularly in the Mekong Delta.

In 2022, agricultural import-export turnover between Vietnam and the US exceeded US$15 billion, with Vietnam exporting around $13 billion and importing over $2 billion from the US.

The two countries are also cooperating in the production of the African swine fever vaccine.

The Prime Minister reiterated that Vietnam regards the US as one of its most important partners, and expressed his desire to further promote the comprehensive partnership between the two countries.

Chinh noted that following the telephone conversation between General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and US President Joe Biden, Vietnam is ready to work with the US to promote deep, effective, and substantive relations based on mutual respect for each other's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political regime.

"These efforts are aimed at advancing the interests of both peoples and contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and beyond," Chinh said.

US Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack expressed his keenness to strengthen bilateral relations with Vietnam, especially in trade. He expressed his desire for continued cooperation and sharing of experiences in agricultural development, including areas such as smart agriculture and climate change response.

Vilsack also reaffirmed his commitment to work with relevant agencies on both sides to promote areas and aspects of cooperation highlighted by the Prime Minister, such as the establishment of irradiation facilities in northern Vietnam to facilitate meeting US market requirements for Vietnamese agricultural products and expanding markets for agricultural products from both countries.