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Vietnam continues to be US's important partner
Anh Kiet 15:58, 2017/05/29
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc led a high-ranking delegation left Hanoi on May 28 for an official visit to the United States from May 29-31 at the invitation of US President Donald Trump.
This is the first official trip to the US by the Vietnamese head of Government since assuming the prime-ministership last year  and also the first meeting of President Donald Trump with a Vietnamese leader.
The Vietnamese delegation includes Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, Minister of Public Security Sen. Lt. Gen. To Lam, Minister-Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung, Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh, and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong, among others.

Vietnam and the US have recorded positive strides in their relations in all spheres since the countries  set up the  comprehensive partnership in July 2013 on the basis of respect for each other’s territorial integrity, political regimes and development path, for the sake of both countries’ interests and for peace, stability and development cooperation in the region.

 
 
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc made speech at the World Economic Forum on ASEAN in 2017 (WEF-ASEAN 2017)
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc made speech at the World Economic Forum on ASEAN in 2017 (WEF-ASEAN 2017)
On December 14, 2016, PM Phuc had phone talks with President-elect Trump. In April 2017, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Minh paid an official visit to the US during which he was  handed over President Trump’s letter inviting  PM Phuc to visit the US and confirming that he will visit Vietnam to attend the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting 2017.

After the Foreign Ministry of Vietnam and the White House of the US announced the official visit to the US by PM Phuc, on May 23, the co-chairs of the US Congressional Caucus on ASEAN - Congresswoman Ann Wagner of the Republican Party and Congressman Joaquin Castro of the Democratic Party - issued statements welcoming the trip. They said they attach importance to the partnership with Vietnam and expressed their belief that the visit will enhance Vietnam-US relations and the cooperation for a peaceful and prosperous Asia-Pacific.

On May 24, Senator John McCain, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services, sent a letter to PM Phuc, welcoming the visit and considering it as an important step to intensify links between the two countries and a priority of the US. He also assessed the development of the two sides’ partnership as substantive since the two countries normalised their diplomatic ties, adding that bilateral relations are now developing more strongly than ever.

The official visit by PM Phuc aims to continue realising Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of foreign relations, proactive and active integration into the world, and further promote Vietnam-US cooperation.

Anthony Nelson,  former director in charge of Vietnam of the US– ASEAN Business Council, made the remark in a recent interview on Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s official visit to the US that this will be an opportunity for Vietnam to emphasise the importance of the relationship with the US.

He noted that  the visit is also the first visit of ASEAN leaders since the US has a new administration. Therefore, it is  highly iconic, he said, adding that this is an opportunity for the PM to emphasise Vietnam’s pioneering role in ASEAN and the country’s position  as a key economic and security partner of the US. The visit also demonstrates the US’s recognition of the leadership role of Vietnam in the regional architecture, he said.

According to Anthony Nelson, bilateral trade has grown remarkably, but there are some concerns about the Vietnam’s trade surplus with the US. The US exports to Vietnam have increased dramatically over the years, higher than the other top trade partners of the US, he said. 

Although the US has withdrawn from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement, but  lots of progress has been achieved through negotiations. It would be unfortunate if the two countries do not continue and they could formally propose a bilateral free trade agreement, he added.

Vietnam has become a true leader in the region’s matters, he said, noting President Donald Trump’s commitment to attend the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Vietnam later this year is great and Vietnam should take this occasion to persuade the US to participate in all events of APEC and ASEAN. Along with the history and the relations between their people, Vietnam and the US share the same interest in regional issues, and there are many areas of cooperation of mutual interest such as economy, freedom of transit, free trade and free flow of money services.
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