China roared into 2026 with exports far outstripping forecasts, fuelled by red-hot electronics demand, putting the economy on track to top last year's record $1.2 trillion trade surplus - barring a wider energy and shipping shock from the war in Iran.

South Korea's Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan on Sunday said the U.S. is unlikely to slap higher tariffs on South Korea should the Korean parliament move swiftly to implement investment legislation sought by the U.S. next week as scheduled.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Thanh Nam called on associations, businesses and banks to strengthen coordination and share information early to enable timely policy responses and avoid disruptions caused by sudden market changes.

To attract high-quality foreign investment projects, Viet Nam needs to prepare a workforce that meets the requirements.

By 2026, the agricultural sector aims for a total export value of agricultural, forestry, and aquatic products of 73-75 billion USD. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MARD) stated that it will strengthen supply chain management, promote deep processing linked to brand building and logistics development; and expand domestic and export markets.

Trade and investment ties between Viet Nam and the EU have been significantly improved by a bilateral trade deal. Julien Guerrier, Ambassador of the EU to Viet Nam, spoke with VIR’s Thanh Tung about the cooperation prospects to build on such ties.

At this time of the year, farmers in major pepper-growing regions across the country are entering the harvest season for the 2026 crop. With farm-gate prices remaining high, the sector is optimistic that export turnover will continue to grow.

In the first two months of the year, rice exports reached 1.3 million tonnes valued at $599.3 million, up 5 per cent in volume but down 11.2 per cent in value compared with the same period last year.

Viet Nam’s fruit and vegetable exports rose 67.2 per cent year on year to USD 875.33 million by February 15, driven by robust demand and a surge in pistachio shipments.

The Philippines continues to be Viet Nam's largest rice import market, accounting for nearly 48% of the market share in the first two months of 2016.