Tensions have ratcheted up in Southeast Asia as the United States has helped to fortify its bilateral ties with Vietnam.
“Vietnam and the U.S. have agreed to dramatically upgrade their bilateral relations and strengthen defense cooperation, while hailing several major deals worth billions of dollars. The announcement comes amid strained relations between both Hanoi and Washington with China.
On security, the U.S. and Vietnamese leaders welcomed ‘further cooperation in defense industry and defense trade in accordance with each side’s conditions’, according to the statement. In addition, the U.S. said that it ‘is committed to continuing to assist Vietnam to develop its self-reliant defense capabilities’.
Washington and Hanoi also entered into a new chip partnership with Vietnam, which Washington said would help support ‘resilient semiconductor supply chains for U.S. industry, consumers, and workers’.
U.S.-based Amkor Technology, which specializes in the semiconductor industry, is set to launch operations at a factory in Vietnam in October of 2023, with total investment estimated at $1.6 billion. Two other U.S.-based technology companies – Marvell Technology and Synopsys – will also set up facilities in Vietnam.
The historic rapprochement between the U.S. and Vietnam comes amid rising tensions between Washington and China, with officials from both countries trading accusations of escalation. Meanwhile, relations between Hanoi and Beijing have been marred by a territorial dispute, with Vietnam frequently criticizing its northern neighbor for what it regards as violations of its sovereign waters in the South China Sea”. -RT
Almost half a decade after the fall of Saigon, Vietnam had upped the U.S.’s diplomatic status to a “comprehensive strategic partner”, the highest tier in Hanoi’s hierarchy of bilateral ties, placing the United States on par with China, India, Russia, and South Korea.
While the United States may intend to transform Vietnam into a "second Philippines” and forge an Asian equivalent to NATO, the Chinese are unlikely to view the rapprochement between the U.S. and Vietnam as a major blow to Beijing’s influence over its southern neighbor, as Hanoi has not given the impression that it is aligning against China and it certainly won’t do so anytime soon.