Vietnamese President Meets Acting USTDA Director, Discusses Expanded Economic Cooperation

Vietnamese President Tô Lâm met with Acting Director of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), Thomas R. Hardy, in New York. This meeting took place within the framework of activities in New York during his attendance at the high-level general debate of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. The two sides engaged in a constructive and substantive exchange of views on strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries, especially in the areas of infrastructure development and the digital economy. Vietnam emphasized its intention to further develop economic relations with the United States. President Tô Lâm expressed his gratitude for USTDA's contributions to the achievement of Vietnam's sustainable development goals and conveyed his hope for further deepening cooperation between the two nations. He specifically mentioned the expectation for expanded cooperation in sectors such as energy, transportation, and digital infrastructure. Vietnam, under its one-party system, prioritizes economic growth and actively promotes foreign investment and technology transfer. Economic cooperation with the U.S. aligns with Vietnam's diplomatic strategy to diversify supply chains and reduce its economic reliance on China. USTDA is a U.S. government agency that provides technical assistance and funding for infrastructure projects in developing countries, and it has established a cooperative relationship with Vietnam over many years. This meeting is seen as indicative of a transition to a new phase in bilateral relations.