Australia’s dispute with China over anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties imposed on its barley exports is under way after the World Trade Organization (WTO) confirmed the complaint on Monday.

The conclusion of the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) on December 11 holds a practical meaning to both nations as the pact is expected to help the two countries boost their post-pandemic recovery.

Vietnam’s prospects appear positive as the economy is projected to grow by about 6.8 percent in 2021 and, thereafter, stabilise at around 6.5 percent, according to the latest World Bank’s economic update for Vietnam “Taking Stock”.

US President Donald Trump began his term in office by withdrawing the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). That presaged further tensions that strained trans-Pacific ties: there were threats to withdraw from a trade deal with South Korea; steel and aluminium tariffs that treated erstwhile allies such as Japan as national security threats; and a massive trade war with China. And most recently, Vietnam and its currency policies have appeared in the crosshairs.

Nhan Dan (People) Newspaper held an online seminar in Hanoi on December 22 to help enterprises and people to gain a further understanding of the opportunities and challenges from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement.

Japanese businesses consider Vietnam as an attractive investment destination following the Southeast Asian nation’s success in COVID-19 control, ambassador Yamada Takio told a conference in Hanoi on Dec. 21.

Vietnam has emerged as the sixth largest wooden furniture exporter to the UK, grossing an export value of approximately US$422 million last year to make up 3.6% of the import market share, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Any move by the US to impose tariffs on Vietnamese goods would hurt bilateral trade ties, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) said.

Wood export turnover this year is expected to reach a record high of nearly 12.5 billion USD despite impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as risks from export markets and the country’s policy changes in controlling the legality of imported wood materials.

A workshop to promote economic and trade cooperation between Vietnam and Russia was held by the Vietnamese Embassy in Russia at the Hanoi – Moscow trade centre on December 22.