Economic, Strategic Concerns Seen Pushing Vietnam Toward US

An unsettling mix of economic and strategic pressures is seen as pushing Vietnam toward a historic upgrade in relations with the United States, part of a broader realignment that is expected to include closer ties with several U.S. allies in Asia. When in Hanoi, Biden is likely to elevate relations with Vietnam to "Comprehensive strategic partnership," a two-notch leap from the existing framework of strategic partnership, Reuters reported this week. Only a handful of other countries - such as India and South Korea - currently share such a relationship with Vietnam. The elevation of U.S.-Vietnam ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership would be a "Major development," Greg Poling at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies' Southeast Asia Program told VOA, noting that it would signal "Greater strategic alignment between the two countries." "Vietnam has made that decision because it views China as a strategic threat and sees closer ties with the U.S. and other like-minded partners as necessary to maintain its strategic autonomy in the face of that threat," he wrote in an email to VOA. At a reelection campaign event in Freeport, Maine, in late July, Biden said he "Got a call from the head of Vietnam" who "Desperately" wants to meet him and to "Elevate us to a major partner, along with Russia and China." "Expanding trade and investment with the U.S. will help Vietnam overcome the current economic headwinds," said Vo Tri Thanh, former deputy head of the Hanoi-based Central Institute for Economic Management. For Washington, the elevation of ties with Hanoi "Is a top priority because Vietnam is a vital economic partner in the region and an important non-aligned state in the Global South. And that is where the competition between the U.S. and China will play out," said Poling from CSIS. VOA has contacted the Vietnamese Embassy in Washington to inquire about what Vietnam can expect from the U.S. under the new framework but has not received a response.