Within the framework of attending the high-level joint discussion session of the 81st United Nations General Assembly and bilateral activities in the US, on the morning of September 23 (local time), in New York, General Secretary and President To Lam received Senator Steve Daines, Senator of Montana, member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The General Secretary and President affirmed that Vietnam considers the US as one of the most strategically important partners, and wishes to continue to bring the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership relationship into depth, stability, substance and effectiveness with the US; requested Senator Daines, with his role and prestige in the Senate, to continue to contribute to promoting relations between the two countries and mutually beneficial cooperation fields.
Senator Steve Daines expressed his pleasure to meet General Secretary and President To Lam again, recalling the good impressions from his visit to Vietnam in March 2025 and the phone call in February 2026; expressed his impression and congratulated Vietnam's development achievements in recent years and positive progress in the two countries' relations; affirmed that Vietnam is an important partner of the United States in the region and wished to continue to contribute to promoting Vietnam-US relations, especially economic and trade cooperation and areas of mutual concern.
Expressing high appreciation for the speech of General Secretary and President To Lam at the United Nations General Assembly on September 22 (local time), Senator Steve Daines said that the message of responsibility, cooperation and vision for peace, stability, and sustainable development of Vietnam is of profound significance in the current international context. The Senator emphasized that the world needs more responsible countries like Vietnam and visionary leaders like General Secretary and President To Lam.
Exchanging views on specific areas of cooperation, the General Secretary and President emphasized that economy and trade need to continue to be the pillar and important driving force of the two countries' relations; requested the two sides to soon complete negotiations for a reciprocal, fair and balanced trade agreement, and at the same time properly handle existing issues in the spirit of objectivity, balance of interests, in accordance with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership relationship.
The General Secretary and President proposed strengthening cooperation in science and technology, innovation, energy, war recovery, defense and security, and people-to-people exchanges; encouraging the expansion of cooperation between Montana and Vietnamese localities, especially in areas where the two sides have strengths and needs such as agriculture, energy, technology and important minerals.
Senator Steve Daines agreed with the orientations stated by the General Secretary and President; said that the two sides still have much room to expand cooperation, especially in economy - trade, agriculture, energy and cooperation between Montana and Vietnamese localities. The Senator affirmed that he will continue to contribute to promoting Vietnam - US relations, including cooperation in overcoming war consequences, strengthening understanding and trust, and bringing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to stable, substantive and effective development.
