Vietnam and the United States Forge Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
Vietnam and the United States have officially announced the establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership aimed at fostering peace, cooperation, and sustainable development. President Joe Biden’s visit to Vietnam marks the fifth time a U.S. president has visited the country since diplomatic relations were normalized.
The decision to upgrade the Vietnam-U.S. relationship was announced by the Central Party Commission for External Relations following a meeting between General Party Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Joe Biden during his two-day state visit to Hanoi. President Biden expressed his appreciation for Vietnam’s achievements in development, contributions to international affairs, and the leadership role of General Secretary Trong. He pledged support for Vietnam’s economic and scientific-technological cooperation, including the development of the electronics industry, response to climate change, and clean energy initiatives. President Biden emphasized that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries will bring mutual benefits and serve common international interests.
Economic cooperation has been a focal point in the Vietnam-U.S. relationship, with bilateral trade turnover surpassing $123.86 billion in 2022, marking an 11% increase from the previous year. The U.S. is Vietnam’s largest export market and the second-largest commercial partner, while Vietnam ranks as the seventh-largest commercial partner for the U.S. Direct foreign investments from the U.S. to Vietnam have exceeded $11 billion, with over 1,200 projects, placing the U.S. as the 11th largest investor in Vietnam. The two countries have also strengthened their collaboration in addressing war legacies, including the cleanup of dioxin at Da Nang Airport and ongoing clearance efforts at Bien Hoa Airport. Additionally, Vietnam and the U.S. have worked together to repatriate the remains of 733 U.S. soldiers missing in Vietnam during the war.