HANOI : Vietnam is ready to keep frequent contact with the US to deal with emerging issues, an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday (Aug 11), regarding an official US launch of an anti-circumvention investigation into steel pipes imported from Vietnam.

Speaking at the ministry’s regular press briefing, Spokeswoman Lê Thị Thu Hằng noted the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership had recorded progress in all areas, including in economy, trade and investment.

Vietnam is the leading South-East Asian trade partner of the US, which in turn is the second biggest trade partner of Vietnam. Bilateral trade surpassed US$110 billion in 2021.

She stressed that Vietnam welcomed the policy of promoting economic, trade, and investment ties with the US on the basis of freedom, equality, mutual benefit, and conformity with bilateral agreements and WTO regulations.

Vietnam was ready to maintain frequent contact with the US via existing mechanisms such as the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement to deal with emerging issues in a timely manner and enhance bilateral economic, trade and investment relations for the sake of the two countries’ enterprises and people, Hằng noted.

“In that spirit, we are ready and wish the US will discuss this issue with us,” the spokeswoman added.

 - ANN