(VOVworld) - The US has become Vietnam’s leading trade and investment partner, which has been reflected through impressive trade values between the two countries over recent years. Bilateral trade has expanded to 36.3 billion USD in 2014. The figure is expected to hit 40 billion USD in 2015.  Nguyen Duy Khien, head of the American Market Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said Vietnam shipped 30.6 billion USD worth of goods to the US in 2014, up 24 percent against the previous year. The US has become Vietnam’s largest importer, purchasing garments, electronic products, footwear, rice and fish from Vietnam.