President Joe Biden met with Vietnamese President To Lam in New York to deepen relations and counter China and Russia’s influence. They discussed accelerating their strategic partnership, investments in semiconductors and supply chains, cybersecurity cooperation, and commitments to freedom of navigation. Lam emphasized Vietnam’s development and sought U.S. support in removing trade restrictions and advancing semiconductor supply chains. While human rights abuses in Vietnam were a concern, the leaders focused on economic cooperation and strategic approaches in the region.
The meeting was seen as crucial for Lam to solidify his leadership position after becoming Vietnam’s top leader in August. It underscored Vietnam’s balanced relationships with major powers like China and Russia, as well as the importance of its partnership with the U.S. in the Asia-Pacific region. Lam’s visit to the U.N. General Assembly and Cuba highlighted Vietnam’s efforts to enhance economic ties and shed the non-market economy label to strengthen its relationship with the U.S.
While some argue that Vietnam has not fully met its policy commitments and is being used as a manufacturing hub to bypass U.S. import restrictions on Chinese goods, the meeting focused on enhancing economic cooperation and strategic partnerships. Overall, the discussions highlighted the growing significance of Vietnam as a key player in the region and the U.S.’s efforts to counterbalance China’s influence through deeper ties with the Southeast Asian country.
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