Vietnam seeks more free trade deals to drive growth as Trump tariff looms

(Reuters) - Vietnam is seeking to speed up its negotiations for new free trade agreements while more effectively exploiting the 17 ones it has already signed, as its export-reliant economy is bracing for US tariffs.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, in a directive issued late on Tuesday, urged the trade ministry to conclude or start free trade agreement talks with India, Brazil, Pakistan, Egypt and other markets in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, Central Asia and Eastern Europe.

(Reporting by Khanh Vu and Francesco Guarascio; Editing by Martin Petty)