US President Joe Biden stated on Tuesday that Vietnam wants to “become a partner” of the US and that he plans to visit the Asian nation in the near future. However, the White House has refrained from commenting on his statement.
The relationship between the US and Vietnam had been nonexistent for several decades after American forces withdrew from the country in 1973. It was not until 1995, during President Bill Clinton’s tenure, that diplomatic ties were reestablished. While the US and Vietnam currently have normal economic relations, Vietnam’s largest trading partner and foreign investor remains China, with Russia serving as a major military partner for Hanoi.
Despite sharing an official communist ideology, tensions between China and Vietnam have been increasing in recent years, particularly over Beijing’s territorial claims in the South China Sea. Biden’s remarks on Tuesday indicated that the US sees an opportunity to bring Vietnam into its sphere of influence.
Biden previously made similar remarks during a campaign reception in Maine, where he mentioned receiving a call from the head of Vietnam who expressed a desire to meet at the upcoming G-20 summit in India. The Vietnamese official reportedly wanted to elevate the US to a major partner, alongside Russia and China. Biden emphasized that this development is not a joke and reflects the changing dynamics around the world.
John Kirby, the spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, responded to reporters’ inquiries about Biden’s travel plans by stating that he had nothing to report at the moment. However, he acknowledged the importance of the US’ relationship with Vietnam and expressed a commitment to further strengthening it, considering the region’s critical geopolitical significance.
Vietnam is a member of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which was announced by Biden last year. Although it is not a formal trade agreement or treaty, China perceives its signing as an attempt to economically isolate and provoke confrontation with them.
Overall, Biden’s statement about Vietnam’s intention to become a partner of the US and his potential visit reflect the ongoing efforts by Washington to counter China’s growing power and influence in the Indo-Pacific region. The US sees an opportunity to strengthen its ties with Vietnam and potentially gain a strategic ally in the face of rising tensions with China. However, the White House has yet to provide any specific details or confirm Biden’s travel plans, leaving room for further developments in this evolving relationship.
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