Ambassador Cuong held a discussion with ECAT

On 30th September 2011, Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Cuong met with several Emergency Committee for American Trade (ECAT) at a breakfast at the Hay Adams Hotel at the latter’s invitation for the first time since his arrival in the US.

The discussion was focused on the recent developments in the US-Vietnam Relations and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) negotiation process, of which the 7th Round took place in Chicago in the first half of September. It was one of a number of reachout activities that Ambassador Cuong has been undertaking in the last 4 months to the US business community to discuss topics of mutual interest.

Several ECAT members attending the meeting expressed their encouragement and support to the steps that are aimed at improving US-Vietnam relation and at taking the current relationship to a new height that will mutually benefit the two countries. Though some participants raised their concern about what they consider as hurdles to the business activities in Vietnam, they shared the Ambassador’s views on the current macroeconomic stabilization measures by the Vietnamese government, and Vietnam’s determination and comprehensive approach to the TPP process. ECAT President Cal Cohen and all other at the meeting stated their willingness to assist Vietnam in whatever ways possible so as Vietnam will  become a full and successful member of the TPP community.