Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang

Addressing a regular press briefing on Thursday, Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang said that Vietnam respects its relations with the US and expects the US’s early removal of the sanction:

“Vietnam regrets for the US decision and asks for an early removal of the sanction on the Vietnamese company and not affecting normal operation of Vietnamese businesses. Trade relations between Vietnam and Iran are transparent and legal. Transactions between Vietnam and Iran are for civilian purposes serving essential needs of the people and are not in contrary to the resolutions of the UN Security Council”

The Foreign Ministry spokeswoman commented on the US Treasury Department’s decision to label Vietnam as a currency manipulator: “Over the past 25 years, especially since Vietnam and the US established comprehensive partnership, the two countries have seen robust growth in trade and investment relations. Vietnam respects its trade and economic relations with the US and seriously implements high-level commitments in bilateral trade and other multilateral commitments. Vietnam has consulted the US candidly to address issues for sustainable harmony of mutual interests."

The spokeswoman cited the State Bank of Vietnam’s statement on Thursday that the exchange rate management in recent years, which is set out within the framework of the general monetary policy, aims to achieve the consistent goal of controlling inflation and stabilising the macro-economy. This policy does not set out to create an unfair competitive advantage that Vietnam can enjoy when participating in international trade.

Responding to reporters’ questions on Vietnam's reaction to information from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) 2020 report which alleges the Vietnamese  Government is being increasingly restrictive in its control of the press, the spokeswoman said Vietnam completely rejects the untrue, unobjective and prejudiced information the CPJ put out with regards to the situation in Vietnam. The Vietnamese Government’s consistent commitment to press freedom is enshrined in the 2013 Constitution and a wide range of related legal documents, and is evidenced via the strong growth of the press in the country recently.