A busy workspace. (Photo: VNA)
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Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy is leading a delegation of nearly 50 agencies, businesses, and agricultural associations on a working visit to the US from June 1-7 to explore trade promotion and import opportunities for US agricultural, forestry, and aquatic products.
According to our correspondent in the US, on June 2, Minister Do Duc Duy and his delegation had a working session with the Iowa Department of Agriculture, attended by its leader, Mike Naig, and his deputy, Grant Menke.
The meeting acknowledged and assessed the current state of trade cooperation in agricultural products between Vietnam and Iowa. Both parties also shared information, demands, and potential business cooperation opportunities.
The discussion paved a practical path to promote the export of high-quality agricultural products from Iowa to Vietnam and vice versa.
Iowa is known as the “Heart of American Agriculture.” With a long history of cultivation practices, Iowa is a leading producer of corn in the US, with an annual output of 50 million tons.
The state also produces other agricultural commodities such as soybeans, wheat, pork, and beef.
Minister Do Duc Duy highlighted that Vietnam has become one of the world’s leading agricultural exporters, positively contributing to global food security. Vietnam continuously expands its processing capacity and enhances quality to develop sustainable agriculture. As such, Vietnam and the US can complement each other and jointly develop a stable and long-term bilateral agricultural supply chain.
Notably, the 50 Vietnamese agricultural businesses accompanying Minister Do Duc Duy on this US trip are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to purchase US agricultural products worth over $2 billion. Specifically, for Iowa, the businesses and associations of the two sides have signed five Memoranda of Understanding, totaling approximately $800 million over three years.
Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy and Iowa Agriculture Minister Mike Naig. (Photo: VNA)
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These agreements hold significant value compared to the $44 million in agricultural exports from Iowa to Vietnam in 2024.
The public-private partnership between the two sides was also expanded through a Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Livestock and Veterinary (under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Vietnam) and the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA).
As per this agreement, both parties committed to strengthening trade relations and promoting cooperation between the Vietnamese and Iowa pork industries by organizing technical workshops, market promotion activities, and trade delegations.
Additionally, the meeting created opportunities for other Vietnamese and American businesses to connect and explore new avenues to enhance trade relations and solidify the Vietnam-US agricultural supply chain.
These connections are expected to expedite the transfer of advanced US technology to Vietnamese agricultural enterprises, paving the way for green, smart, and sustainable agricultural development in Vietnam.
Minister Do Duc Duy expressed his belief that today’s event marks the beginning of a new phase of deeper and more effective cooperation between the Vietnamese business community and Iowa.
He emphasized that this outcome reflects the common goodwill of both parties to foster the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and the US.
In an interview with the press on this occasion, Minister Do Duc Duy shared that for the past decade, the US has been Vietnam’s largest agricultural export market. Conversely, Vietnam is also among the top 10 largest importers of US agricultural products. Specifically, in 2024, the export turnover of Vietnam’s agricultural products to the US reached $13.68 billion. Simultaneously, Vietnam imported agricultural products from the US worth $3.4 billion.
According to Mr. Do Duc Duy, the potential for two-way agricultural trade cooperation between Vietnam and the US remains vast. Currently, the two governments are negotiating to conclude a reciprocal trade agreement. Therefore, implementing solutions to sign an agreement with mutually beneficial terms will also be a great opportunity to elevate bilateral agricultural trade between Vietnam and the US to new heights.
Minister Do Duc Duy emphasized that through these engagements and forums, the Vietnamese delegation wants the US federal and state governments, business communities, and politicians to recognize that the Vietnamese government always attaches great importance to and continually strives to nurture the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and the US, not just in words but also in specific actions. Particular emphasis is placed on developing trade and investment between the two countries, with two-way agricultural trade as an essential component. This will facilitate the negotiation process and lead to the early signing of a reciprocal trade agreement between Vietnam and the US.
Speaking to our correspondent, Mr. Mike Naig shared that, in addition to the five Memoranda of Understanding signed, this occasion also provided an opportunity to exchange insights on information, innovation, and technology driving agriculture.
“We have had a very strong relationship and believe we can do even more. I led a trade delegation to Vietnam in March 2023, and we will return in the fall with another group of Iowa businesses and farmers to continue to learn about each other and collaborate further. I truly think this is the beginning of a relationship and future business endeavors for Vietnam and Iowa,” he said.
Ngoc Quang – Doan Hung – Hong Nguyen
– 10:51 03/06/2025
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