9-8-2023 (HANOI) US President Joe Biden announced on Tuesday (Aug 8) that he would be traveling to Vietnam in the near future. The visit comes as Vietnam aims to enhance its relationship with the United States and establish itself as a significant partner on the global stage.
President Biden made the announcement during a political fundraiser in New Mexico. When asked for further details about the visit, a spokesperson from the White House stated that there was nothing more to share at this time.
In April, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed their mutual desire to deepen ties between the two countries. This move aligns with Washington’s strategy to strengthen relationships with Asian partners in order to counter China’s growing assertiveness in the region.
During the April meeting, Secretary Blinken expressed hope that progress would be made in the coming weeks and months. The United States has been working towards elevating its partnership with Vietnam from a “comprehensive” level to a “strategic” one. However, Vietnam has been cautious in navigating this transition due to concerns about the impact on its trade relationship with China, a crucial neighbor that supplies essential inputs for its export trade, as well as its longstanding partnership with Russia.
Earlier, President Biden mentioned his intention to meet with the “head of Vietnam” during the G20 summit, which is scheduled to take place in New Delhi, India, on September 9-10. The President referred to Vietnam’s Communist Party Chief, Nguyen Phu Trong, whom he spoke with over the phone in March. President Biden stated that the Vietnamese leader “desperately wants to meet” and expressed Vietnam’s desire to be elevated as a major partner, alongside Russia and China.
While the details of the anticipated closer relationship have not been disclosed, experts suggest that it could involve increased military cooperation and the supply of US weapons. Both Washington and US defense firms have openly expressed their interest in expanding military support to Vietnam. Currently, Vietnam’s military acquisitions from the US are primarily limited to coastguard ships and training aircraft. The country aims to diversify its defense procurement away from its primary supplier, Russia.
However, potential obstacles to military deals with the US remain, including concerns from US lawmakers regarding Vietnam’s human rights record. These concerns could potentially delay or impede the progress of military agreements between the two nations.
President Biden’s forthcoming visit to Vietnam signifies a significant step towards strengthening bilateral ties and underscores the United States’ commitment to its partnerships in the region. The visit holds the promise of increased collaboration across various sectors, including defense, and will shape the future trajectory of the Vietnam-US relationship.
