The above content was discussed on May 20 during a working session of Minister Nguyen Hong Dien, Head of the Government negotiation delegation with the leaders of Google Group in the United States.
Mr. Karan Bhatia - Vice President in charge of Government Relations and Public Policy of Google - said that Google is having many diverse activities cooperating in Vietnam such as software technology deployment, YouTube... but Google's focus in cooperation in Vietnam recently has been hardware.
Previously, in the early years of President Trump's previous term, Google gradually moved its smartphone production chain from many countries around the world to Vietnam. Currently, Google is still stepping up this activity. Not only smart phone production technology, Google has now brought technology, headphone production lines, watches, electronic devices and hardware to Vietnam...
These activities have made Vietnam the Group's largest supplier to the United States. Over the past year, Google has invested in Vietnam worth about 13 billion USD.
In the future, Google wishes to expand production and investment activities in Vietnam. However, the current countervailing tax rate between the US and Vietnam is a big challenge for trade between the two sides.
To solve this problem, he suggested that Vietnam prioritize top-notch negotiations in the fields of smartphones, technology; non-tax barriers, digital space, artificial intelligence, etc. The United States hopes that Vietnam will use artificial intelligence technology from the United States. Google as a friend really hopes that Vietnam will reach agreements, mutually beneficial with the United States.
Thanking the sharing from Google representative, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien highly appreciated the activities that Google is investing and doing business in Vietnam. Google's business results in Vietnam have been contributing positively to the overall economic and trade relationship between Vietnam and the United States.
Minister Nguyen Hong Dien affirmed that Google's orientation to shift the production and supply chains to Vietnam is a strategic direction, Vietnam is becoming an attractive investment destination for global investors. Vietnam welcomes businesses to invest and cooperate.
"We recognize and appreciate Google's strategy in identifying Vietnam's central role in the global supply chain restructuring process. This is an important opportunity to promote the development of a sustainable, balanced and safe supply chain in the region" - Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien emphasized.
Regarding the issue of countervailing trade tariffs between Vietnam and the US, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien also suggested that Google have a voice with the US Government on the issue of reducing tariffs, facilitating trade not only for Vietnam but also for many US partners. Vietnam is ready to open the door to US goods.
Minister Nguyen Hong Dien affirmed that the Vietnamese Government is ready to support Google in expanding investment, cooperation, and localization in Vietnam with incentives on policies, infrastructure, logistics, taxes, etc. Vietnam will be a trusted partner in the process of investment transformation, Google's supply chain with a stable and transparent investment environment.
Currently, Vietnam has participated in 17 free trade agreements, has economic relations with more than 60 partners and has a market reach of over 6 billion global consumers. Therefore, through the FTAs that Vietnam participates in, Google can also access the 6 billion consumer market.
Minister Nguyen Hong Dien emphasized that Vietnam is committed to removing difficulties for Google's business investment expansion in Vietnam. Vietnam hopes that Google Group will speak to the US Government to soon remove the counterpart tax barrier and soon recognize Vietnam as a market economy that facilitates trade between the two sides.
On Google's side, Mr. Karan Bhatia pledged to support and encourage the US Government to promptly resolve the tariff issue; pledged to accompany Vietnam in the process of trade negotiations with the US, facilitate bilateral relations and support Google's development.
