HCMC – In a phone conversation with President Donald Trump on Friday (Hanoi time), Party General Secretary To Lam affirmed that Vietnam is ready to engage in talks with the U.S. to lower import tariffs on American goods to zero percent.
The phone conversation with President Trump marked the first direct exchange between the two leaders since Trump returned to the White House in late January.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Chief of the Party Central Office Le Hoai Trung, and Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc also joined the call. The phone conversation took place after Trump on April 2 announced a 46% reciprocal tariff on goods imports from Vietnam.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the conversation, General Secretary To Lam highly valued the exchange, in which both leaders affirmed their need to continue strengthening bilateral cooperation for the benefit of both countries and to contribute to peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.
The two leaders agreed that the bilateral relationship is progressing positively across various sectors. Regarding trade relations, they discussed measures to further promote bilateral trade.
Vietnam is ready to hold talks with the U.S. side to cut import tariffs on American goods to zero percent, Lam said. He proposed that the U.S. apply a similar tariff on imports from Vietnam, and that Vietnam continue importing more goods that it needs, and create favorable conditions for American companies to increase investment in Vietnam.
The two leaders agreed to work together toward the early signing of a bilateral agreement to formalize these commitments.
Trump said on Truth Social after the call: “Just had a very productive call with To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, who told me that Vietnam wants to cut their Tariffs down to ZERO if the are able to make an agreement with the U.S. I thanked him on behalf of our Country and said I look forward to a meeting in the near future.”
On this occasion, General Secretary To Lam extended an invitation to President Donald Trump and the First Lady to visit Vietnam again in the near future. President Trump gladly accepted the invitation and expressed his willingness to meet General Secretary To Lam soon. The U.S. leader also asked the Party General Secretary to convey his warm regards to Vietnam’s leaders and people.
