23-9-2024 (WASHINGTON) US President Joe Biden is set to hold talks with Vietnam’s President and Communist Party Chief To Lam on Wednesday, 25 September, according to a source close to the matter. The high-level meeting is expected to take place on the fringes of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, marking a significant step in the ongoing diplomatic rapprochement between the two nations.
The White House has yet to officially comment on the scheduled meeting, while Vietnamese officials have remained tight-lipped about the possibility of a Biden-Lam encounter during the latter’s US visit. This planned dialogue comes on the heels of Biden’s trip to Vietnam last September, which saw a substantial upgrade in bilateral relations and the signing of key agreements on semiconductors and minerals.
President Biden’s administration has been actively pursuing closer ties with Vietnam, viewing the Southeast Asian nation as a strategic partner in its efforts to counterbalance the influence of Russia and China in the region. Despite Vietnam’s historical connections with these powers, the US has been making steady inroads in fostering a more robust relationship with Hanoi.
To Lam’s visit to the United States, his first since assuming the role of party chief in early August, is not limited to diplomatic engagements. The Vietnamese leader is slated to address the UN General Assembly and is expected to meet with representatives from major US technology corporations, including Google and Meta. These meetings underscore Vietnam’s growing importance as a manufacturing hub and its increasing integration into global supply chains.
The trip also highlights Vietnam’s delicate balancing act in international relations. Following his US engagements, Lam is scheduled to visit Cuba, reaffirming Vietnam’s longstanding ties with its fellow Communist state.
This high-profile meeting between Biden and Lam is likely to be closely watched by regional observers and global powers alike. It represents a continuation of the US’s strategic pivot towards Southeast Asia and its efforts to build a network of allies and partners to address shared challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
