Vietnam backs San Francisco court’s ruling on Monsanto
Vietnam supports the San Francisco court’s August 10 ruling that ordered Monsanto company to pay damages to a US resident for the impact of its herbicides on the man’s health.
Monsanto has long been associated with the Agent Orange usage in Vietnam. Around 4.8 million Vietnamese were exposed to the toxic chemical. (Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam supports the San Franciscocourt’s August 10 ruling that ordered Monsanto company to pay damages to a USresident for the impact of its herbicides on the man’s health.
The statement was made by ViceSpokesperson of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Phuong Tra ata regular press conference in Hanoi on August 23.
The official was responding to queries from reporters regarding Monsanto’s paymentof 289 million USD in compensation for its cancer-causing herbicides.
The ruling runs counter toprevious opinions that the herbicides Monsanto and US chemical producersprovided for the US army during the war in Vietnam caused no harm to humanhealth, she said.
Vietnam has suffered severely fromthe war’s consequences, including the lingering and serious impact of toxicchemicals and Agent Orange, the official stressed.
Tra said Monsanto must also bearthe responsibility to compensate for the harmful effects caused on VietnameseAgent Orange victims by the herbicides the company supplied.
The US chemical group has longbeen associated with the Agent Orange usage in Vietnam. It was one of the mainsuppliers of more than 80 million litres of herbicides that US troops sprayedover southern Vietnam from 1961-1971. Of the volume, 44 million litres were AgentOrange, containing nearly 370kg of dioxin.
Around 4.8 million Vietnamese were exposed tothe toxic chemical. As a consequence of the exposure, many of the victims died froma variety of diseases, while millions of their descendants were also born withdeformities and diseases.–VNA
Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang has stated that the US companies and Monsanto in particular need to hold responsibility for assisting efforts to recover from Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin.
Two parliamentarians from the Party of European Socialists namely Eric Andrieu and Marc Tarabella have announced that they will request the establishment of a commission of inquiry on the US chemical group Monsanto.
The recent ruling of a court in California, the US, on the link between weedkiller produced by Monsanto and cancer, has sparked hope for the lawsuit against the same company launched by Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange.
The recent ruling of a court in California, the US, on the link between weedkiller produced by Monsanto and cancer, has sparked hope for the lawsuit against the same company launched by Vietnamese vic
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
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Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
Monsanto has long been associated with the Agent Orange usage in Vietnam. Around 4.8 million Vietnamese were exposed to the toxic chemical. (Source: VNA) 
