Good Prospect for Vietnam-US Relations

According to the Ministry of Trade, a multi-lateral negotiation round on Vietnam’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) is taking place in Geneva on March 27, 2006. The round will find solutions for differences on investment mechanisms, the State’s subsidies and trade rights. Attending the negotiation round will be Vietnam’s top trade partners. Vietnam hopes to end its negotiations with four countries, including the US, Mexico, Honduras and Dominica. However, the country which has the biggest impact on Vietnam’s bid for WTO accession is the US. Recently, in a press conference, American ambassador to Vietnam Micheal Marine talked with the media about the issue.

 

During the negotiation round in Hanoi in January 2006, the two sides reduced their differences. Since then, the two sides have continued to exchange information via telephone and email to prepare for the next round of negotiations. I have two reasons to be optimistic about the next round of negotiations. Firstly, Vietnam and the US have reached out to each other. I see Vietnam has a good opportunity to end its negotiations with the US. Secondly, during the previous negotiation rounds, both Vietnamese and American officials expressed their optimism about an early end for the two countries’ negotiation on Vietnam’s WTO bid. I have seen good signs. Let’s wait for the next round. However, Vietnam has made great achievements in increasing freedom and socio-economic development rights for Vietnamese people. Millions of Vietnamese now can practise their religious freedom every week. I think that the US Congress should grant Vietnam permanent normal trade relations.

 

Impossible. The US Congress is waiting for the signing of a bilateral agreement between the US and Vietnam and Vietnam’s signing of a multi-lateral agreement on Vietnam’s WTO accession. Based on the two agreements, the US Congress will understand what Vietnam is committed to before making a decision. Vietnam should end its bilateral and multi-lager negotiations early for a timely granting of the relations before the APEC summit. The next six weeks will be very important.

 

The building of bilateral relations between two countries is a long-term job, just like the building of a house with each brick. I am certain that trade and investment will be the major relations between the two countries. If Vietnam and the US end their negotiations early, and I agree on the prospect, trade and investment exchange between the two countries will increase sharply. Many US companies will come to Vietnam. In 2006 and 2007, we will see the prospect come true. I think other relations between the two countries will develop with more exchanges between scientists, teachers and people of the two countries. When Vietnam becomes stronger, its role in the regional and international forums will be stronger. Vietnam and the US will have regular exchanges about regional and global issues.