Hanoi: The United States and Vietnam have agreed on the framework for a prospective trade deal that both sides say will ensure a “reciprocal, fair, and balanced” partnership, marking a new chapter in their expanding economic relationship. The announcement came Sunday following high-level discussions between US and Vietnamese officials in Hanoi, signaling Washington’s continued engagement in Southeast Asia’s fast-growing economies.
According to a joint statement issued by the White House, the framework lays the groundwork for a comprehensive trade agreement that would broaden market access, address tariff imbalances, and deepen collaboration in digital commerce and intellectual property protection. The deal seeks to recalibrate the trade relationship between the two nations, which has long been defined by a sizable Vietnamese surplus.
Under the proposed outline, the United States will maintain a 20% tariff on Vietnamese goods but will consider zero-tariff entry for select categories, particularly in sectors where American companies seek reciprocal access. Vietnam, meanwhile, has agreed to ease restrictions and regulatory hurdles for US exporters, granting them greater entry into its manufacturing and agricultural markets. Both sides have also pledged to address non-tariff barriers, promote fair labor practices, and uphold environmental standards.
Vietnam’s trade surplus with the US estimated at over $120 billion last year has been a persistent point of contention in bilateral relations. Washington has sought to rebalance trade by encouraging Hanoi to import more American goods, energy, and technology. Vietnamese officials, for their part, have emphasized the importance of maintaining export growth while diversifying their supply chains to avoid overdependence on any single market.
The new framework is seen as a step toward stabilizing trade ties amid shifting global dynamics and intensifying competition in the Indo-Pacific region. It follows a series of US trade engagements in Southeast Asia as part of Washington’s strategy to reinforce supply chain resilience and reduce reliance on Chinese manufacturing networks.
Analysts say the agreement could reshape commercial flows across key industries such as electronics, garments, and semiconductors, as Vietnam continues to rise as a regional manufacturing hub. For the US, the framework underscores its intent to pursue structured, partnership-based trade relationships rather than unilateral tariff impositions.
Negotiations to finalize the deal are expected to take place over the coming weeks, with both governments expressing optimism about concluding a formal agreement before year-end. The White House described the framework as a “milestone step” toward a modern, mutually beneficial trade pact.
The agreement also carries symbolic weight, reflecting a decade of deepening ties between Washington and Hanoi. From wartime adversaries to strategic partners, the two nations now share an agenda centered on economic cooperation, supply chain diversification, and regional stability. As one Vietnamese official noted, “This framework is not just about trade it’s about trust, partnership, and a shared vision for sustainable growth.”