Joint Statement on United States-Vietnam Framework for an Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade

10/26/2025

Briefings & Statements

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Action Summary

Framework Agreement: Establishes a U.S.-Viet Nam framework for reciprocal, fair, and balanced trade building on the 2000 Bilateral Trade Agreement.
Market Access: Viet Nam to provide preferential access for substantially all U.S. industrial and agricultural exports.
Tariff Provisions:
- U.S. to maintain a 20% tariff rate on Viet Nam-originating goods as set in Executive Order 14257 (April 2, 2025).
- Certain products identified for a zero percent tariff rate per Executive Order 14346 (September 5, 2025).
Non-Tariff Barrier Reforms: Viet Nam to address obstacles including:
- Vehicle safety and emissions standards compliance,
- Import licenses for U.S. medical devices,
- Streamlined regulatory approvals for U.S. pharmaceuticals,
- Full implementation of international intellectual property treaty obligations, and
- Improvements in conformity assessment procedures.
Agricultural and Digital Trade: Commitments to prevent barriers to U.S. agricultural products and finalize agreements on digital trade, services, and investment.
Broader Cooperation: Engagement on intellectual property, labor, environment, customs, trade facilitation, good regulatory practices, and addressing distortions from state-owned enterprises.
Supply Chain and Export Controls: Efforts to enhance supply chain resilience, address duty evasion, and cooperate on export controls.
Significant Commercial Deals: Notable transactions include:
- Vietnam Airlines’ agreement to purchase 50 Boeing aircraft valued at over $8 billion,
- Twenty memorandums of understanding for U.S. agricultural commodity acquisitions totaling over $2.9 billion.
Next Steps: Finalization of the trade agreement, preparation for signature, and completion of domestic formalities preceding its enforcement.

Risks & Considerations

The agreement between the United States and Viet Nam to enhance bilateral trade could lead to increased competition for U.S. industries, including those in Tennessee, potentially impacting local businesses and employment.
Vanderbilt University may need to consider how changes in trade policies could affect its research and partnerships, particularly in areas related to agriculture, aerospace, and energy.
The focus on digital trade and intellectual property could present opportunities for Vanderbilt to engage in research and development collaborations, but it may also require adjustments to ensure compliance with new regulations.
There is a potential risk of increased scrutiny on U.S. educational institutions regarding intellectual property and regulatory practices, which could impact Vanderbilt’s international collaborations and research initiatives.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering may find opportunities to collaborate on aerospace projects, given the significant commercial deals in this sector.
The Owen Graduate School of Management could benefit from increased focus on trade and investment, providing case studies and research opportunities related to international business and trade agreements.
Vanderbilt’s Law School might see increased demand for expertise in international trade law and intellectual property rights, aligning with the agreement’s focus areas.
The Office of International Affairs may need to enhance its engagement with Vietnamese institutions to foster educational and research partnerships.

Financial Impact

The agreement could lead to increased funding opportunities for research in areas such as digital trade, intellectual property, and supply chain resilience, benefiting Vanderbilt’s research initiatives.
Vanderbilt may need to allocate resources to ensure compliance with new trade and regulatory standards, potentially impacting its budget and operational strategies.
There could be potential for increased tuition revenue from Vietnamese students, as strengthened bilateral relations may encourage more students to pursue education in the United States.
Vanderbilt’s partnerships with U.S. companies involved in the agreement could lead to new funding and collaboration opportunities, particularly in agriculture and energy sectors.

Relevance Score: 3 (The agreement presents moderate risks and opportunities, particularly in compliance and international collaboration areas.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s Office of Global Strategy should explore opportunities to establish partnerships with Vietnamese educational institutions and industries, particularly in the fields of agriculture, aerospace, and energy. This could enhance research collaborations and student exchange programs, leveraging the strengthened U.S.-Vietnam trade relationship.
The Vanderbilt Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization should assess potential impacts on intellectual property rights and explore opportunities for technology licensing and commercialization in Vietnam, given the commitments to address intellectual property issues.
Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering could benefit from the increased market access for U.S. industrial exports to Vietnam by developing joint research projects and innovation initiatives with Vietnamese counterparts, particularly in areas related to motor vehicle safety and emissions standards.
The Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health should consider engaging with Vietnamese health authorities to streamline regulatory requirements for U.S. medical devices and pharmaceutical products, potentially opening new avenues for research and development collaborations.
Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management should analyze the implications of the trade agreement on supply chain resilience and explore case studies or research projects that examine the impact of reduced trade barriers on business operations and strategy.

Opportunities

The trade agreement presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Peabody College to develop educational programs focused on international trade and economic policy, potentially attracting students interested in careers in global commerce and diplomacy.
Vanderbilt can capitalize on the focus on digital trade and services by expanding its offerings in digital commerce and international business law, preparing students for careers in the evolving global digital economy.
The emphasis on environmental cooperation offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Earth and Environmental Sciences Department to engage in research and policy analysis related to sustainable trade practices and environmental impact assessments.
By hosting conferences and workshops on the implications of the U.S.-Vietnam trade agreement, Vanderbilt can position itself as a thought leader in international trade policy and foster dialogue among policymakers, industry leaders, and academics.

Relevance Score: 3 (The agreement presents opportunities for some adjustments in Vanderbilt’s international collaborations and research initiatives.)

Average Relevance Score: 3

Timeline for Implementation

In the coming weeks: Parties will work to finalize the Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade, prepare it for signature, and complete domestic formalities before the Agreement enters into force.

Determined that “in the coming weeks” is the only clear implementation timeline provided in the text.

Relevance Score: 5

Impacted Government Organizations

Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR): Leads trade negotiations and is central to framing the bilateral agreement with Viet Nam.
Department of Commerce: Involved in shaping and implementing trade policies, including tariff adjustments and regulatory streamlining for industrial and agricultural exports.
Department of Agriculture (USDA): A key player in addressing export issues and market access for U.S. agricultural products.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): Responsible for enforcing tariff regulations and facilitating trade at U.S. borders.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Implicated in matters concerning medical devices and pharmaceuticals, ensuring that product approvals and certificates meet U.S. standards.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Plays a role in overseeing emissions standards for vehicles affected by the agreement.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): Concerned with ensuring that vehicles conform to U.S. motor vehicle safety standards.
Department of Labor (DOL): Engagement may be required for addressing labor provisions and the impact of trade on workforce standards.
Department of State: Supports international negotiations and coordinates aspects of export controls and diplomatic elements of the agreement.

Relevance Score: 3 (A diverse range of 9 federal agencies are impacted by the trade framework.)

Responsible Officials

N/A – The text is a joint statement outlining a framework for a trade agreement and does not specify any particular officials or agencies responsible for implementing its directives.

Relevance Score: 1 (Directives are general and do not specify implementation at any particular level of government.)