On 20 May 2025, the Special Consultations between ASEAN Economic Ministers and the partner countries of China, Australia - New Zealand, and Japan took place online under the chairmanship of the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry of Malaysia.

The conference was attended by the Economic Ministers of ASEAN member countries, Timor-Leste (as an observer), Economic Ministers of partner countries, and ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn. The Vietnamese delegation to the conference was led by Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hoang Long, along with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and units under the Ministry of Industry Trade.

The conference was held in the context of the regional and global economy facing many challenges such as geopolitical tensions, geo-economic dispersion, and the US's reciprocal tax policy. At the Conference, the Ministers highly appreciated the initiative to organize these Special Consultations to: (i) discuss and assess the challenges and their impacts on trade, investment and economic integration; (ii) discuss the strategic approach of ASEAN and its partners to the current unstable economic situation; (iii) discuss the direction to further promote economic, trade and investment cooperation activities between ASEAN and its partners to better respond to global challenges, turn challenges into opportunities, maintain the stability of the regional supply chain, protect the interests of all parties and reduce negative impacts on businesses and people's lives.

Speaking at the conferences, Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Long shared Vietnam's view that ASEAN (as a united and united bloc) has a comprehensive, flexible and practical strategic approach in strengthening the autonomy of the intra-bloc economy as well as enhancing economic connectivity with important partner countries to respond to current challenges.

In addition, the Deputy Minister also shared Vietnam's view on the US's reciprocal tariff policy. Accordingly, Vietnam has had timely, appropriate and flexible policy responses according to the motto of persistently, proactively dialogue and cooperation with the US to resolve difficulties and obstacles in the spirit of harmonious interests and shared risks, while at the same time focusing on maintaining a healthy international cooperation environment, in accordance with the regulations of the World Trade Organization (WTO), without affecting commitments under existing economic and trade cooperation frameworks with its partners. On that basis, the two sides are currently negotiating to find suitable and mutually beneficial solutions. The Deputy Minister also emphasized Vietnam's commitment to continue to closely coordinate with ASEAN and partner countries in the coming time to seek cooperation opportunities in potential areas of mutual interest, including effectively utilizing the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA 3.0) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to respond to current challenges, towards a transparent, stable and fair international trade environment.

Also at the conferences, the Ministers adopted 03 Joint Statements in turn to express their views on current developments and trade tensions, committing to further strengthening economic cooperation between ASEAN and partner countries in cooperation mechanisms, existing FTAs ​​as well as exploiting priority areas of mutual interest, reaffirming their commitment to support the multilateral trading system based on rules, non-discrimination, openness, fairness, comprehensiveness, equality and transparency, which is the basis of global trade./.

Source: Department of Multilateral Trade Policy, Ministry of Industry and Trade.