On the afternoon of April 5, at the Government Headquarters, Politburo member and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the second meeting of the Government Standing Committee with ministries and branches to continue assessing the situation and discussing immediate and long-term solutions after the US side announced the imposition of countervailing taxes on goods from many countries, including Vietnam.
In his concluding remarks, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated that on the evening of April 4, General Secretary To Lam had a very successful phone call with US President Donald Trump. The Government has also proactively reported and proposed many contents and received the Politburo's approval.
To date, Vietnam has basically resolved the issues of concern to the US side, especially proactive tax reduction according to Decree 73/2025/ND-CP amending and supplementing preferential import tax rates.
The Prime Minister said that tonight (September 5), Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc will leave for work in the US, so the meeting needs to prepare a list of items to be negotiated to bring the tax rate to 0%.
The Prime Minister emphasized that Vietnam and the US have become comprehensive strategic partners, economic and trade relations are promoted on the basis of two economies that are complementary and supportive, not competitive or extinguishing each other.
The US remains Vietnam's largest export market; while Vietnam is among the US's largest trading partners and the largest trading partner in the ASEAN region; Vietnam's trade surplus to the US is large, but beneficial for both sides.
If the US imposes countervailing tariffs as announced, it will affect Vietnam's exports, Vietnam's indirect markets and affect American consumers.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the approach and handling of the problem must be comprehensive, both immediate, long-term and key, both non-tax and tariff...
The Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Industry and Trade to preside over and, under the direction of Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien to continue to carefully study the US policy.
Directing a number of specific solutions, the Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Finance to continue to immediately review tax policies and expand policies in Decree 73 in the direction of approaching a high-level agreement between General Secretary To Lam and President Donald Trump at a phone call on April 4.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade shall preside over and review to increase imports from the US of Vietnamese goods that are in demand and profitable when imported. Promote negotiations to upgrade the Vietnam - US Bilateral Trade Agreement.
The Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to actively arrange for Vietnam's negotiating delegation to meet important US units. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Industry and Trade continued to interact with the US to postpone the taxation while waiting for negotiations.
The Prime Minister noted that negotiations with the US need to pay attention to avoid affecting relations with other partners.
The head of the Government requested to continue implementing solutions on taxes, fees and charges to support businesses, encourage domestic production, business and consumption, affirming the viewpoint of always accompanying, supporting and standing side by side with people, businesses and investors in difficult times. Coordinate synchronously, closely and effectively monetary policy and fiscal policy.
The Prime Minister also requested the Ministry of Finance to have a plan to prepare to support businesses in difficult cases.
