US Emphasizes No Cold War Stance During Vietnam Trip
With the signing of a new historic agreement with Vietnam, President Joe Biden refuted claims that the US is aiming to limit China’s global influence. Mr. Biden traveled to Hanoi to seal the accord that will put the once-enemies even closer than they have ever been more than 50 years after the last American soldier left Vietnam.
The US has significantly improved relations with Vietnam through the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. It is the result of Washington’s tenacious efforts over the previous two years to deepen its connections with Vietnam, one which it sees as essential to containing China’s power in Asia. It is a significant achievement.
The highest degree of diplomatic ties Vietnam has established is with Washington. In Hanoi, Mr. Biden told reporters that American moves were not intended to isolate or constrain China, but rather to maintain stability in line with global norms.
The labor force in Vietnam is younger and highly educated. Also, it has promoted an entrepreneurial attitude that is very appealing to US investors, particularly those who want to relocate their manufacturing bases from China.
In recent years, numerous household names, including Dell, Google, Microsoft, and Apple, have moved portions of their supply chains to Vietnam. As Hanoi attempts to wean itself off of Russia, the US also views Vietnam as a prospective market for arms and military hardware.
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Closer Ties in the Shadow of China
Washington is also eager to assist Vietnam in developing its electronics industry and semiconductor supply chain, two areas that have been contentious as the US tries to limit China’s access to cutting-edge technology.
Mr. Biden will face pressure to balance strategic objectives with the defense of freedom and human rights. Human Rights Watch claims that those who criticize the government in Vietnam face intimidation, persecution, and jail.
The state runs every print and television outlet, and the Communist Party has a monopoly on the media. The biggest benefit is that this alliance places it closer to China. The government has made efforts to
There is no denying that as Washington cultivates more Asian allies, relations between the US and Vietnam have improved. Both nations have cooperated to find the remains of American soldiers who were killed in combat, and Washington has also helped Vietnam locate the bodies of its own soldiers.
Also, tens of thousands of Vietnamese students visit the US each year to pursue their studies, which has aided in the reconciliation process.
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Source: BBC