HANOI (Reuters) -Vietnamese and Americans firms have signed a series of deals on energy and minerals during a visit to the United States by Vietnam's trade minister, state media and one of the firms said on Friday.

Vietnam has signed $4.15 billion worth of agreements with U.S. companies in the energy and minerals sectors to boost cooperation and avoid potential tariffs, while also seeking "market economy" status from the U.

Vietnam is reviewing import duties on U.S. goods, including liquefied natural gas (LNG), agricultural products, and high-tech exports, in an effort to balance trade relations with the United States. Prime Minister

Vietnam escalated a charm offensive with the United States on Friday as it announced provisional deals for the import of U.S. energy products and a possible cut in duties on U.S. goods, as it tries to avoid tariffs from the Trump administration.