The brief trade talks in Shanghai this week between top U.S. and Chinese officials were "constructive," the White House said Wednesday, adding that negotiations are expected to pick up again in Washington, D.C., in early September.

Vietnam, the apparent candidate to pick up the windfalls of the China-US trade war, is showing concerns over its long- and short-term economic development, although the country has seen months of encouraging trade statistics. 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on July 31 called on Sweden to enhance its relations with Vietnam in different spheres, especially trade and investment. 

Exporting agricultural produce can bring in good profits, therefore, it is necessary to prioritise the domestic market , said Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) Nguyễn Xuân Cường.

Phạm Ngọc Hải, Deputy Director of the Institute for Industry Policy and Strategy, under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, speaks to Công Thương (Industry and Trade) newspaper on what should be done to further develop industrial investment consultancy in Việt Nam.

China and its partners participating in the negotiations of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement are expected to conclude the talks within this year, a senior official said on Wednesday.

The textile and garment industry’s exports were worth US$32 billion last year and they are expected to reach $40 billion this year.

Chinese state media is playing down expectations for any significant breakthrough from this week’s trade talks with the United States, while US President Donald Trump said Beijing could delay the deal until after the 2020 presidential election.

Chinese state media said on Sunday the United States has shipped several million tonnes of soybeans to China since the two countries’ leaders met in June, although U.S. government data shows that the volume was much less. 

The EU-Vietnam free trade agreement (EVFTA) is expected to bring great opportunities for exporters of Vietnam and the Mekong Delta region in particular.