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HANOI (AP) — President Joe Biden commenced a brief visit to Vietnam on Sunday by emphasizing the opportunity for the two nations to shape the Indo-Pacific region for decades to come. He expressed hope for progress on climate, the economy, and other issues during his 24-hour visit. In a meeting with Nguyễn Phú Trọng, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Biden declared Vietnam and the U.S. as critical partners in this pivotal time. Trọng concurred, acknowledging that their meeting presented an “excellent opportunity” to expand bilateral ties. Trọng also expressed gratitude to Biden for extending an invitation to visit Washington soon.
Vietnam has upgraded its relationship with the U.S. to the status of a comprehensive strategic partner, reflecting its highest tier of international partnership. This designation, previously given to China and Russia, indicates Vietnam’s desire to maintain varied friendships as companies from the U.S. and Europe seek alternatives to Chinese factories.
During a fundraiser in Salt Lake City, Biden revealed that Vietnam does not seek a defense alliance with the U.S., but rather meaningful relationships to demonstrate that they have options and are not isolated while dealing with China. Biden decided to add a visit to Vietnam to his trip to India for the G20 summit.
Capitalizing on China’s economic slowdown and President Xi Jinping’s accumulation of political power, Biden sees an opportunity to bring more nations, including Vietnam and Cambodia, into America’s sphere of influence. Biden explained last month that Vietnam presents an opportunity to change the global dynamic amidst ongoing worldwide changes.
Biden received a grand welcome at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, with schoolchildren lining the steps, waving U.S. and Vietnam flags. From an elevated review stand, he watched military personnel march past. After greeting the children, Biden proceeded to Communist Party headquarters to meet with Trọng. During their meeting, both leaders expressed delight at seeing each other again after eight years. Trọng even flattered Biden, complimenting his appearance and stating that he had not aged. Biden chuckled in response.
Jon Finer, Biden’s chief deputy national security adviser, affirmed that Vietnam’s elevated status represents a significant level of international partnership. Finer emphasized that this designation goes beyond mere words and serves as a signal to Vietnam’s government and bureaucracy about the depth of cooperation and alignment with the U.S.
Addressing reports of Vietnam’s potential deal to buy weapons from Russia, Finer acknowledged Vietnam’s longstanding military ties with Russia but emphasized that the U.S. continues to work with Vietnam and similar countries to limit their interactions with Russia due to its alleged war crimes and violations of international law.
Since 2019, U.S. trade with Vietnam has surged. However, to further progress, Vietnam needs to enhance its infrastructure, improve workers’ skills, and enhance its governance. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo highlighted Vietnam as a prime location for diversifying supply chains due to its high ranking among CEOs seeking alternatives to overdependence on China. Additionally, Raimondo emphasized the need for Vietnam to enhance workforce quality, housing, infrastructure, and transparency in government operations.
Although Vietnam’s economic growth has slowed in recent months, its exports to the U.S. have nearly doubled since 2019. However, due to its population size of 100 million, it is unlikely that Vietnam will match the scale of Chinese manufacturing.
There is evidence that China remains central to the economies of many countries in the Indo-Pacific region. A recent analysis from the Peterson Institute of International Economics reveals that countries in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework depend on China for over 30% of their imports and send nearly 20% of their exports to China.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan recognized an opening to expand the U.S.’s relationship with Vietnam during a visit from Lê Hoài Trung, one of Vietnam’s top officials. After consulting with his team, Sullivan proposed deepening the trade and diplomatic relations between the two countries. Biden publicly announced the deal during a fundraiser in Maine, expressing Vietnam’s desire to elevate the U.S. to a major partner alongside Russia and China.
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