U.S.-Vietnam trade talks

U.S.-Vietnam trade talks

HANOI (AP): The seventh round of talks aimed at reaching a trade agreement between the United States and Vietnam open Monday.

Both sides have expressed cautious optimism for real progress at the session, which is scheduled for five days.

Six rounds of talks have gone on for almost three years. Washington says they have stalled because of Vietnam's unwillingness to open up its markets.

There have been recent strains in relations over Vietnam's decision to refuse Most Favored Nation trade status for U.S. goods because there is no trade pact.

That resulted in a 50 percent surcharge being imposed on imports of U.S. products as of Jan 1. But Vietnam has since waived the fee in what it called a goodwill move.