During his state visit to Vietnam on Sunday, Mr. Biden is expected to oversee the signing of a “comprehensive strategic partnership” with Hanoi, a symbolic but significant status long coveted by the United States.
Vietnam has until now reserved this status for only four countries: China, Russia, India and South Korea.
For years, it had resisted granting this distinction to the United States out of fear of offending China.
But as Beijing continues to encroach on waters claimed by Vietnam and as the United States looks for more partners to counter China in the Indo-Pacific, the former enemies have found common ground.
“Whenever they try to upgrade any significant bilateral relations, they normally tend to do it step by step because of the fear that it may cause some concern, especially from Beijing.”
Persons:
Biden, ”, Nguyen Khac Giang, Yusof
Organizations:
Institute
Locations:
Vietnam, Washington, Hanoi, United States, China, Russia, India, South Korea, Beijing, Singapore