Vietnam signs free trade deal with four European countries

Vietnam and four European countries signed a free trade agreement in Hanoi on Sunday. The deal was announced by the governments of Vietnam and Norway. Vietnam's Trade Ministry said it signed the deal with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which is made up Norway , Switzerland , Iceland and Liechtenstein. The four European countries are not part of the European Union (EU). The official talks between Vietnam and the EFTA began in 2012. The talks were interrupted in 2018 and only resumed last year. The agreement between Vietnam, which is Southeast Asia's fastest-growing economy, and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) waives or reduces customs duties, including on imports of industrial, fish and agricultural products.