HCMC – Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien held a working session with leaders of companies under the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA), led by FDRA President and CEO Matt Priest.
Speaking at the meeting in Washington, D.C. on November 14 (local time), Minister Dien underscored the importance of strategic coordination during the ongoing negotiations on an agreement on reciprocal, fair and balanced trade between Vietnam and the U.S.
According to the minister, textiles, garments, and footwear remain Vietnam’s key competitive sectors, which are now shifting toward higher value, transparent supply chains, and more sustainable practices aligned with international standards. Vietnam is focusing on strategic pillars such as green transition and full compliance with environmental, labor, and safety regulations to achieve these goals.
Vietnam is giving priority to developing supporting industries, adopting new materials, clean energy, circular production models, and fostering an innovative and sustainable ecosystem, he noted.
Vietnam also aims to strengthen international partnerships and attract importers, suppliers, and global corporations to participate more deeply in Vietnam’s manufacturing ecosystem, while ensuring transparent and sustainable operations and cleaner supply chains, as well as improving product quality to meet global standards.
During the session, representatives of FDRA member companies—including Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, Michael Kors, Steve Madden, and Columbia Sportswear—shared deeper perspectives on cooperation prospects with Vietnam at a time of major shifts in global supply chains.
Beyond seeking manufacturing partners, U.S. firms expected to engage more deeply in Vietnam’s footwear ecosystem, from materials development and design to technology and sustainability standards across the value chain.
Several of the firms present at the meeting said they had established long-standing production chains, supply networks, and partnerships in Vietnam and view the market of more than 100 million people as a key growth driver in their global strategies.
However, they said, the current U.S. tariff policy has created significant challenges for production and business operations. High tariffs increase costs, making order planning and production expansion difficult.
At the meeting, Minister Dien updated them on the negotiation process and expressed hope that the business community would continue voicing strong support for Vietnam in the negotiation process.
The two nations conducted the fifth round of direct negotiations on the agreement on reciprocal, fair and balanced trade in Washington, D.C. from November 12 to 14.
