Joe Biden in Hanoi: The U.S. and Vietnam are 'important partners at a very sensitive time'

Joe Biden, the President of the United States, arrived in Hanoi on Sunday as Vietnam prepared to significantly enhance its trade relations with the United States amid the competition between Washington and Beijing across Asia. Upon his arrival in Hanoi, the U.S. President received a grand welcome, with dozens of children holding American and Vietnamese flags as military paraded in front of him. After waving to the children, Biden boarded his limousine for a meeting with Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam. During the meeting, Biden stated that Vietnam and the United States are important partners at a very sensitive time. John Finer, Biden's senior advisor for national security, also noted that the upgraded status reflects the highest level of international partnership for Vietnam. He mentioned the tumultuous relationship between the two countries over recent decades and stated that this visit would deepen Washington and Hanoi's relations. Finer also commented on Vietnam's military ties with Russia, stating that Washington would continue to collaborate with this Asian country and others to reduce their interactions with Moscow. U.S.-Vietnam trade relations have expanded rapidly since 2019. Improving Vietnam's infrastructure, enhancing worker skills, and governance are challenges facing the improvement of these relations. Vietnam's economic growth decreased in the first quarter of 2023. Amid the negative impact of global inflation on consumer goods markets, Vietnamese exporters are facing higher costs and lower demand. Nevertheless, imports of Vietnamese goods to the United States have doubled since 2019, reaching $127 billion annually. According to the Associated Press, Biden expressed pride that Vietnam considers the U.S. a strategic partner. Vietnam has adopted a similar stance regarding Russia and China. Granting equal status to the U.S. while American and European companies seek alternatives to Chinese factories indicates Vietnam's efforts to protect its friendships. The U.S. President stated last month that Vietnam is not seeking a defense alliance with the U.S. but wants to convey to China that it is not alone and can choose its partners. Amid China's economic recession and political power consolidation by Xi Jinping, Biden seeks to bring more countries, including Vietnam and Cambodia, into the U.S. orbit. The joint naval exercises of the U.S. and the Philippines in the South China Sea after 38 years coincide with Cambodia's Prime Minister handing over power to his son. Disagreements in the G-20 summit did not condemn Russia. The U.S. and China agreed to hold new trade negotiations. An American official stated that Beijing's hostile actions in the South China Sea must be responded to. Joint military exercises of the Philippines and Australia in the South China Sea are also ongoing.