Vietnam Replaces Trade Minister as Leadership Review Begins (1)

Vietnam has replaced the trade minister who oversaw US tariff deal negotiations as Communist Party officials meet to decide who will be in contention for the country’s top leadership positions.

Le Manh Hung, currently the chairman of PetroVietnam, becomes acting Minister of Industry and Trade, according to a post on the government’s website. The current minister, Nguyen Hong Dien, will move to become deputy secretary of the National Assembly Party Committee for the 2020-2025 term, the trade ministry said.

The announcement comes as the Party Central Committee began its 15th plenum on Monday to discuss key issues ahead ...