On Saturday, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken indicated a willingness to improve their ties, ideally in the coming months, as Washington seeks partners to oppose an increasingly aggressive China.
Blinken met with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on his first official visit to the indispensable Southeast Asian nation. Before their meeting, he noted “extraordinary progress” in bilateral relations over the last decade.
“We have now hope to be able to take it to an even higher level, deepening even further the economic partnerships,” Blinken added, noting that the two nations celebrate their 10th anniversary of formal collaboration this year.
After a “great success” phone chat between President Joe Biden and Vietnam’s Communist Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong last month, Chinh said both sides wanted to take relations “to a new height.”
Analysts predict a July meeting between Biden and Trong or additional high-level contacts following the diplomatic anniversary and call.
Blinken hopes to enhance official relationships “in the weeks and months ahead.”
Upgraded ties are much less obvious.
Blinken told reporters that security was a significant part of the two nations’ relations and was increasing as Washington finalized the dispatch of a third Navy cutter to bolster Vietnam’s coastguard.
As Vietnam wants to diversify away from Russia, Washington and U.S. defense contractors have publicly stated their desire to increase military supplies, mostly coastguard ships and training planes.
Human rights concerns may prevent U.S. military deals. In addition, analysts claimed U.S. weaponry is expensive, risks Chinese retaliation, and may not integrate with Vietnam’s heritage weapons.
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