(VOVworld) – Vietnam hopes the US will focus on tax reduction for garment and footwear products in the negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement.

Deputy PM Vu Van Ninh and US Secretary of the Treasury Jack Lew

At a meeting on Tuesday with US Trade Representative Michael Froman, Deputy PM Vu Van Ninh proposed the US consider recognising Vietnam’s market economy status once the agreement is signed.

Ninh, who is on a working visit to the US, said Vietnam will actively work with the US and related partners to seek acceptable solutions for all involved parties. He asked the US to provide technical assistance for Vietnam to enforce its TPP commitments.

Froman pledged to facilitate the entrance of Vietnamese garment and footwear products to the US market and asked the Vietnamese side to create favourable conditions for US pork and poultry to be sold in Vietnam. He cited Vietnam on issues relating to the environment and online payment.

During a meeting with Secretary of the Treasury Jack Lew, Ninh requested the US resume its provision of official development assistance (ODA) and preferential loans and increase the number of humanitarian programmes run in Vietnam. He also called for more technical assistance for officials in this field.

Deputy PM Vu Van Ninh and US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker

At the reception held by Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, both sides confirmed their determination to open a direct air route between the two countries by 2015. Furthermore, they agreed to further enhance bilateral trade ties and speed up TPP negotiations.

Deputy PM Vu Van Ninh and Professor Jeffrey Schott

Earlier, Deputy PM Ninh also met with Professor Jeffrey Schott, an expert on TPP at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. Ninh said the institute’s research and publications had helped Vietnam develop clearer approaches to international economic issues.