Negotiating as a bloc will give the region greater bargaining power, especially since the new Trump administration plans to slap high tariffs on exports

The woodworking industry will strive to achieve the export target of 18 billion USD for this year, the Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of Ho Chi Minh City has said.

According to the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (Vietrade) under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, in 2024, numerous trade promotion events and programs organized abroad effectively supported businesses in expanding export markets. Strengthening cooperation with international trade promotion organizations has helped increase the presence of Vietnamese goods in the global market.

Last week's Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing for Senator Marco Rubio was very insightful, especially regarding comments related to US-Asean relations. Mr Rubio demonstrated knowledge about Asean and the need for flexibility in engaging with the countries in the region. His comments have also calmed surging concerns over a potential tariff hike under the Trump administration. Certainly, he is expected to be confirmed and replace Antony Blinken as Secretary of State.

Vietnamese and Czech officials have underscored the vast potential of expanded cooperation between the two nations, driven by the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

Vietnam’s rice exports to Singapore recorded significant growth in 2024, cementing Vietnam’s position as the third-largest rice supplier of the city state, according to the Vietnam Trade Office in Singapore.

2024 is considered an exceptionally successful year for Vietnamese rice, with the export value reaching a record high. Vietnamese rice is highly regarded for its quality and has, at times, had the highest prices in the world.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade of Việt Nam and the United States Trade Representative on January 17 signed a bilateral agreement in Washington, DC resolving an anti-dumping dispute over Vietnamese pangasius fillets.

The American president, who re-entered the White House on Monday, has proposed up to 20 per cent universal tariffs on imports from all countries.

Green and sustainable development has become a global trend and a strategic direction to maintain competitiveness and ensure long-term economic growth. Key policies such as the European Green Deal, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), the Circular Economy Action Plan, and the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 are significantly influencing global growth models, economic cooperation, trade, and investment.