Vietnam should be ready for bilateral trade deal talks with US: experts

US President Donald Trump speaks at an event in Louisville, Kentucky

At the event, held at Harvard University last weekend, Prof. David Dapice from Harvard recommended Vietnam focus on improving its industrial sector’s capacity and competitiveness.

It should watch whether Japan and Australia want to pursue a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) without the US, and be ready to negotiate a free trade deal with the US, similar to what Singapore and the Republic of Korea have done.

Dapice also suggested Vietnam monitor China’s moves in promoting a China-led trade bloc.

Aside from alternatives to the TPP and the US’s new policy on trade with Vietnam, participants delivered speeches on other issues, including the US’s alliances in Asia-Pacific in the new era, the Trump administration’s policy possibilities regarding the East Sea issue, and periphery and security partners in Asia-Pacific.

Many delegates stressed that the new administration’s Asia-Pacific policy remains unclear, which has raised concerns among the US’s partners in the region as the world order may change due to competition among powerful countries.

Some speakers said the new administration in the US may neglect Asia-Pacific and return its focus to the Middle East. This may raise tensions in the region in the East Sea and the East China Sea.

Prof. Ngo Vinh Long from the University of Maine and some other experts suggested small countries prepare long-term strategies in the face of the uncertainty.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Pham Quang Vinh said he hopes that Vietnam-US relations will be reinforced despite the Trump administration resetting its foreign policy priorities.