US, Vietnam launch talks for investment treaty
The United States and Vietnam agreed Tuesday to launch talks for a bilateral investment treaty as their companies signed several deals during a visit by Vietnamese Premier Nguyen Tan Dung.
The investment accord "will build on the already strong economic ties between the United States and Vietnam, one of the fastest growing markets for US exports," US Trade Representative Susan Schwab said.
When concluded, it will provide US investors in Vietnam with key legal protections and enhanced market access with "important direct and collateral benefits for US exporters and consumers alike," she said.
The two former battlefield enemies normalized trade relations in 2001.
Two-way goods trade rose 30 percent to 12.5 billion dollars in 2007 from a year earlier.
Dung also held talks with President George W. Bush on Tuesday and presided with US Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez over the signing of contracts and other agreements.
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