"Vietnam and EU sign free trade deal", 1 July 2019

The European Union and Vietnam....signed a long-awaited free trade...agreement....

...The EU-Vietnam free trade pact will eventually see duties slashed on 99% of Europe’s imports from Vietnam.

Billed as a so-called next generation deal, it also includes rules around labour rights and environmental and intellectual property protections.

...EU-Vietnam free trade negotiations kicked off seven years ago, and the EU has come under fire for not putting enough pressure on Vietnam to improve its dismal rights record.

...Malmstrom said rights issues were raised throughout negotiations and the trade agreement would allow the EU to “engage rather than to isolate” Vietnam on human rights.