HANOI – Vietnam has formally opened trade negotiations with the United States, seeking to avoid a proposed 46% tariff on its exports by demonstrating a willingness to purchase American goods and address long-standing U.S. concerns over trade practices.

The discussions come during a 90-day reprieve granted by Washington, giving both sides a narrow window to reach a deal. Mr. Tran Tuan Anh, head of Vietnam’s trade negotiation team, emphasized the country’s commitment to resolving differences with the U.S. “based on mutual interests,” according to a statement from Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Vietnam, which in 2024 held the third-largest trade surplus with the U.S.—behind only China and Mexico—has reiterated its pledge to boost imports of American products, including liquefied natural gas and commercial aircraft, while offering to eliminate tariffs on U.S. goods.

As part of this effort, Vietnam Airlines and Vietcombank on April 24 signed a provisional financing agreement to support the purchase of 50 Boeing 737 Max aircraft, reaffirming a commitment first made in 2023. In addition, analysts from Bloomberg Intelligence suggest Vietnam may be preparing to buy Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets to replace its aging fleet of Soviet-era SU-22s, a move previously held back due to geopolitical sensitivities with China and Russia.

Vietnam has also taken steps to curb origin-of-goods fraud, a key issue for U.S. trade officials concerned about Chinese goods being rerouted through Vietnam to circumvent tariffs. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh reiterated on April 22 that the government is stepping up efforts to combat trade fraud, smuggling, and counterfeit goods, while increasing transparency in customs practices.

The evolving negotiations signal Vietnam’s strategic intent to preserve strong trade ties with the U.S. and maintain access to its largest export market, while deepening its integration into global supply chains and defense partnerships. (zai)