HANOI (AP) — President Joe Biden emphasized Sunday that he is not seeking to initiate a “cold war” with China during his inaugural visit to Vietnam. Instead, he stated that his objective is to promote global stability by establishing strong U.S. connections with Vietnam and other Asian nations.
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“The purpose of this trip is to strengthen alliances worldwide and maintain stability. That is the essence of it,” Biden stated at a press conference. “It is not about containing China; it is about creating a stable foundation.”
Biden’s visit to Hanoi coincides with Vietnam’s decision to grant the United States its highest diplomatic status as a comprehensive strategic partner, indicating a significant evolution in their relationship from the “painful past” of the Vietnam War.
This expanded partnership represents a broader Asia-wide effort to counterbalance China’s influence. Biden believes that Vietnam wishes to demonstrate its independence, while U.S. firms seek alternatives to Chinese factories. Yet, Biden aims to strike these agreements while simultaneously reducing tensions with China.
During a meeting with Vietnam’s leaders earlier on Sunday, Biden welcomed the countries’ new partnership and expressed hope for progress on climate issues, the economy, and other matters during his 24-hour visit to Hanoi.
“We can observe five decades of progress between our nations, from conflict to normalization to this enhanced status,” Biden stated as he and Nguyễn Phú Trọng, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, announced the new relationship at party headquarters.
Biden, who describes himself as part of the “Vietnam generation” despite not serving in the war, characterized Vietnam as “a friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible member of the international community.” He noted the efforts made by Vietnam War veterans such as John Kerry and the late John McCain to build a relationship with Vietnam in the aftermath of the war.
“Both men understood, as did I and many others, the immense benefits of working together to overcome a painful past,” Biden stated.
Trọng pledged that Vietnam will strive to implement the agreement, stating, “Only then can we call it a success.”
During a separate appearance with Trong, Biden described the U.S. and Vietnam as “critical partners at a very critical time.” Although neither leader explicitly discussed China’s economic and geopolitical rise, it is difficult to explain this mutual embrace without considering China’s regional influence.
Vietnam has been seeking a counterbalance to its relationships with other countries, having previously granted the same level of relations to China and Russia. Elevating the U.S. to this status implies that Vietnam wishes to diversify its international relationships as American and European companies seek alternatives to Chinese factories.
Biden views China’s economic slowdown and President Xi Jinping’s consolidation of power as an opportunity to bring additional nations, including Vietnam and Cambodia, into America’s sphere.
Biden arrived in Vietnam on Sunday and was greeted with a grand ceremony outside the Presidential Palace. As he watched high-stepping military members march past, numerous schoolchildren lined the steps, waving U.S. and Vietnam flags. Biden and Trong subsequently met at the Communist Party headquarters.
Both leaders expressed delight at seeing each other again, having previously met eight years ago in Washington, according to Biden.
Trong endeavored to flatter Biden, who faces persistent questions about his age and plans for reelection at the age of 80. “You have not aged a day, and I would even say you look better than before,” Trong remarked. Biden laughed in response.
Addressing reports that Vietnam was pursuing a deal to purchase weapons from Russia while simultaneously seeking deeper ties with the United States, Jon Finer, Biden’s chief deputy national security adviser, stated that Vietnam’s longstanding military relationship with Russia was acknowledged by the U.S. He added that the U.S. is working with countries like Vietnam to limit their interactions with Russia, a nation accused of war crimes and violations of international law in Ukraine.
Since 2019, U.S. trade with Vietnam has already accelerated. However, there are limitations to how much further this growth can continue without improvements to the nation’s infrastructure, workforce skills, and governance. Additionally, increased trade has not automatically propelled the Vietnamese economy upward.
Gina Raimondo, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, highlighted Vietnam as a highly ranked destination for diversifying supply chains following excessive reliance on China. Raimondo has been working to expand these supply chains through the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, an initiative launched by Biden last year.
“Companies are seriously considering countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and India as places to conduct business,” Raimondo stated. “However, they also need to improve their workforce, housing, infrastructure, and government transparency.”
Vietnam’s economic growth slowed in the first quarter of 2023 due to increased costs for exporters and weaker demand caused by global inflation. Nevertheless, U.S. imports of Vietnamese goods have nearly doubled since 2019, amounting to $127 billion annually, according to the Census Bureau. Vietnam, with a population of 100 million, is unlikely to match the manufacturing scale of China, which has 1.4 billion people and exported four times as many goods to the U.S. in 2022.
—Associated Press writer Darlene Superville in Washington contributed to this report.
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