U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper acknowledged Vietnam’s prompt and positive reactions after the U.S. announced its global tariff policy, which includes a 46-percent rate on imports from Vietnam.​

Ambassador Knapper shared these insights during a meeting with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son in Hanoi on Sunday.​

He noted that leaders from Vietnam's Party, government, and various ministries have taken swift and constructive actions. 

Knapper highly appreciated the high-level phone call on April 4, during which Party General Secretary To Lam expressed Vietnam's readiness to eliminate import duties on U.S. goods, increase American imports, and facilitate U.S. investments in Vietnam.

The conversation took place after the U.S. administration announced a 46-percent reciprocal tariff on imports from Vietnam, effective on April 9, as part of Washington's global new tariff policy. 

The ambassador highlighted that this call was President Donald Trump's first with a foreign leader following the tariff announcement on Thursday, underscoring the mutual respect and concern between the two leaders for their nations’ relationship.

He also commended the active and specific exchanges and cooperation between the two sides in recent months, contributing to meaningful and effective interactions between the leaders.​

Deputy PM Son said that Vietnam shares the U.S.'s interest in achieving a balanced trade relationship. However, he regretted the decision to impose high reciprocal tariffs on Vietnamese exports, stating that such measures affect businesses in both countries and, notably, impact millions of Vietnamese citizens.​

The 46-percent rate places the Southeast Asian nation among those facing the steepest duties – higher than those imposed on competitors like Thailand (36 percent), Pakistan (29 percent), and the Philippines (17 percent). 

Son informed Ambassador Knapper that Vietnam has requested President Trump to postpone the reciprocal tariff during ongoing negotiations and has sought meetings to promptly ​reach an agreement.

As head of a quick response team to deal with U.S. economic and trade policy adjustments, Deputy PM Son highlighted the significance of the April 4 phone call between Party leader Lam and President Trump.

He emphasized that this call had conveyed important messages from the Party chief.​

Vietnam, he noted, is not only ready to negotiate reducing import taxes on U.S. goods to zero percent but also aims to encourage businesses to purchase U.S. products that align with Vietnam's needs and Washington's strengths.

Hanoi is also committed to creating favorable conditions for U.S. businesses to operate and invest in Vietnam.​

Son further informed Ambassador Knapper that General Secretary Lam has designated Deputy PM Ho Duc Phoc as a special envoy to the U.S. to continue discussing these issues. 

He suggested the U.S. to prioritize arranging meetings between Phoc's delegation and U.S. partners to swiftly reach an agreement that benefits businesses and citizens of both nations.​

Echoing Deputy PM Son's assessments, Ambassador Knapper reaffirmed that Vietnam remains a strategically important partner to the U.S. He expressed gratitude for Vietnam's positive approach and understanding of U.S. concerns.

Knapper believed that the forthcoming exchanges will present an opportunity for both sides to discuss and propose solutions to place their trade relations on a healthy and mutually beneficial development path.

He was committed to coordinating efforts to optimally prepare for the working visit of Deputy PM Phoc to the U.S..

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy PM Phoc, who is former Minister of Finance and State Auditor General, was scheduled to undertake a working visit to the U.S. and an official visit to Cuba from April 6 to 14.​

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