US, Vietnam Strengthen Partnership During Biden Visit

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Facts

  • US Pres. Joe Biden on Sunday during a visit to Vietnam agreed to a “comprehensive strategic partnership” with the Southeast Asian nation. The deal has a diplomatic piece as well as a business push to boost the production of semiconductors.1
  • In turn, Vietnam elevated the US to Hanoi’s highest diplomatic status – on par with China and Russia.2
  • In addition, executives from leading US technology companies met with Vietnamese tech executives and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Hanoi on Monday.2
  • Also, a meeting between Biden and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh of Vietnam produced a new $7.8B deal for Vietnam to purchase planes from Boeing – a deal that is expected to support more than 30k US jobs.3
  • Amid speculation that the US reached out to Vietnam as a strike against China, Biden in a news conference said the effort wasn’t focused on “containing China” but rather on stabilizing global relations through better relationships throughout Asia.4
  • Biden’s last stop was at a memorial for late Republican Sen. John McCain. McCain was a longtime of Biden's; the former Senator from Ariz. was held prisoner for five years during the Vietnam War.5

Sources: 1Al Jazeera, 2Reuters, 3The hill, 4Associated Press and 5Washington Post.

Narratives

  • Democratic narrative, as provided by New York Times. It’s in the best interest of the US to let bygones be bygones and forge closer diplomatic and trade relationships with Vietnam in the face of China’s increased aggressiveness militarily and economically in the region. Although Vietnam will likely remain close to China, the US will now be on stronger footing by deepening partnerships in the region thanks to Biden's diplomacy.
  • Republican narrative, as provided by Daily Caller. Biden is being deceived in his attempt to look tough on China. He's making deals with Vietnam's ruling Communist regime while they continue to maintain tight relations with Beijing and even Moscow. This is good for Vietnam's public diplomacy but ultimately makes the US look weaker.