On September 10, U.S. President Joe Biden visited Hanoi to meet Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam's Central Committee. The visit marked the elevation of U.S.-Vietnam relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, focusing on promoting a technology-focused and innovation-led Vietnamese economic growth.
The discussions between Biden and Trong centered on expanding people-to-people exchanges through cooperation in education and workforce development programs, as well as increasing peace, prosperity, and stability in the region.
Biden's stop in Hanoi is part of a broader effort to position the U.S. as a superior economic and security partner compared to China. U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan highlighted that the administration aims to offer a credible alternative to China's coercive and unsustainable lending practices.
This visit occurs as Washington seeks to move beyond the lingering effects of the Vietnam War, which resulted in millions of Vietnamese lives lost. Despite these historic tensions, Biden's administration is working to foster a new era of cooperation.
However, recent reports have posed challenges to this partnership. The U.S. State Department's 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices accused the Vietnamese government of unlawful killings, torture, and cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment. Additionally, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has alleged \"egregious, ongoing, and systematic violations\" against Hanoi, recommending Vietnam be designated as a \"Country of Particular Concern.\"
These allegations raise questions among the Vietnamese people and government about the reliability of the U.S. as a partner in achieving peace and prosperity. Nonetheless, through his high-stakes visit, Biden seeks to reinforce America's regional position and establish a \"new economic world order\" based on shared democratic and capitalist values, echoing former President George H. W. Bush's doctrine.
The administration's efforts to strengthen U.S.-Vietnam relations and increase imports from Vietnam are seen as strategic moves to reduce Beijing's influence in Southeast Asia. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, bilateral trade between the two countries exceeded $138 billion in 2022, highlighting the economic significance of this partnership.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
