Leading a delegation of US agribusinesses, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, Alexis M. Taylor, attended the “Great American Barbeque Festival 2024 by United Tastes” hosted by the US Embassy in Hanoi. This visit was part of a broader 5-day working trip to Vietnam, with a delegation of over 100 members, including representatives from a wide range of American agricultural businesses, agencies, and associations—the largest US agricultural mission to Vietnam since the normalization of relations between the two nations.
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| US Under Secretary of Agriculture, Alexis M. Taylor, addresses the audience at the Great American Barbeque Festival 2024, expressing condolences and offering support to Vietnam in the wake of Typhoon Yagi. |
Both Under Secretary Taylor and US Ambassador to Vietnam, Mark Knapper, extended their deepest sympathies to those affected by the typhoon and affirmed their commitment to assisting Vietnam in its recovery efforts.
Ambassador Knapper highlighted the positive strides made in the US-Vietnam relationship, particularly in agricultural trade, and how this has fostered a deeper understanding between the two nations.
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| US Ambassador to Vietnam, Mark Knapper, delivers a speech at the festival, celebrating the strong ties between the two countries. |
Under Secretary Taylor expressed her enthusiasm for the business prospects in Vietnam, offering American farm and plantation owners new avenues for growth.
The “Great American Barbeque Festival 2024 by United Tastes” is an annual event organized by the US Embassy in Vietnam. It showcases American food, beverages, agricultural products, and culture to Vietnamese importers, retailers, and culinary professionals. The festival also provides a unique opportunity to indulge in delicious dishes crafted with ingredients sourced directly from the United States.
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| Festival attendees enjoy a culinary journey, tasting a variety of American-style barbeque dishes and experiencing the unique flavors of the United States. |
Vietnam: America’s Premier Agricultural Partner
In a press conference during the festival, Under Secretary Taylor emphasized that Vietnam is a leading market for US agricultural and food products, with a bilateral trade turnover of $8.3 billion in this sector alone throughout 2023. She highlighted fresh fruits, meats, and consumer goods as areas of opportunity for American businesses, catering to the diverse demands of Vietnam’s growing middle class.
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| An array of American-made food products on display at the festival, showcasing the diversity and quality of US agricultural offerings. |
Under Secretary Taylor also recognized the potential for the United States to contribute to Vietnam’s livestock industry, offering world-renowned genetic products and specialized feeds.
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| A closer look at the American food products presented at the festival, emphasizing the quality and variety that US agricultural businesses bring to the global market. |
She underscored the complementary nature of the agricultural sector, highlighting Vietnam’s active participation in the Sustainable Productivity Alliance and bilateral initiatives to bolster the country’s agricultural resilience. Additionally, both nations are closely collaborating on climate change adaptation and sustainable agriculture, reflecting long-standing priorities at the national and local levels.
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| A vibrant display of American-made food products, a testament to the strong agricultural partnership between the United States and Vietnam. |
The delegation’s visit comes on the heels of Vietnam opening its market to US peaches and nectarines and marks a year since the elevation of bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
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| Representatives from the US Agribusiness Delegation showcase the renowned Nebraska Steak, exemplifying the quality and diversity of American agricultural exports. |
According to the USDA report, Vietnam is a significant player in agricultural trade with the US, ranking as the 10th largest exporter of agricultural goods to the US, while the US is Vietnam’s third-largest supplier of food and agricultural products.
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