Mr. Hue told Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan in Washington on Monday, that Vietnam not only treasures but is also ready to promote the comprehensive partnership between the two countries. He reiterated Vietnam’s unwavering foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification, and international integration.

Deputy PM Vuong Dinh Hue and US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan in Washington, June 25, 2016.

Secretary Pompeo and Deputy Secretary Sullivan said the US supports an independent and prosperous Vietnam and is poised to cooperate with the country in areas of mutual concern. Both sides underlined their shared interest in maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development, while respecting international law in Asia and the Indo-Pacific region, and solving disputes by peaceful means in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. They stressed the need to respect diplomatic and legal processes, fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and voiced support for an early signing of a code of conduct in the region.

Meeting with Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin, Deputy Prime Minister Hue asked the US to establish a dialogue with Vietnam’s Finance Ministry, ratify a bilateral agreement on avoiding double taxation and the prevention of tax evasion, and to continue providing Official Development Assistance to Vietnam.  

During a meeting with Senator Mazie Hirono, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services’ Subcommittee on Seapower, Mr. Hue urged the US Congress to support Vietnam in overcoming the aftermaths of war and boosting bilateral trade. Senator Hirono said Vietnam plays a crucial role in US policies in the Asia-Pacific Region.