Vietnam's Top Leader Highlights US Relations in Policy Speech

Vietnamese Party General Secretary and President To Lam, during his visit to the United States, delivered a significant policy speech at the Foreign Policy Association (FPA) in New York. He highlighted the critical role of a 'sense of responsibility' in deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and the U.S. This address, part of his trip to attend the UN General Assembly, also saw him receive the FPA Medal, the association's highest honor. In his address, General Secretary and President Lam focused on three key themes: the responsibilities arising from global changes, the journey of the Vietnam-U.S. relationship from its past to its present, and the shared responsibility to advance bilateral ties further. He asserted that in an era of profound global transformation and uncertainty, all nations must share responsibility for peace, stability, and development. Major powers, he noted, have a duty to contribute commensurate with their influence, while smaller and medium-sized nations should proactively propose initiatives. Reflecting on the Vietnam-U.S. relationship, Lam underscored how both countries have overcome past losses and mistrust to reach their current Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He referenced Vietnam's proactive cooperation in the search for U.S. personnel missing in action (MIA) and the pioneering efforts of American figures like the late Senator John McCain in normalizing relations, emphasizing that a sense of responsibility and mutual respect can bridge deep-seated differences. Looking ahead, Lam reiterated Vietnam's commitment to an independent, self-reliant foreign policy of multilateralization and diversification, as it pursues its national development goals, including becoming a developed, high-income nation by 2045. He identified the U.S. as one of Vietnam's leading partners and stressed the need to further elevate bilateral ties. Key areas for enhanced cooperation outlined by Lam included strengthening the political foundation, advancing defense and security collaboration, and deepening economic, trade, and investment ties. He expressed a desire to transform complementarities in markets, resources, and technology into tangible business opportunities and benefits for both nations' enterprises and citizens. Vietnam, he stated, is prepared to address U.S. concerns regarding trade balance, market access, intellectual property rights, and supply chain security. Furthermore, Lam emphasized the potential of science, technology, and innovation as new drivers for bilateral relations. He proposed focusing on training semiconductor engineers and AI experts, fostering collaboration among research institutions and businesses, and enhancing the capacity of Vietnamese enterprises to participate in global technology supply chains. Vietnam is committed to refining its institutional framework, protecting investor rights, intellectual property, data security, and cybersecurity, and ensuring prompt responses to business challenges. He also highlighted the importance of leveraging the unique value of the Vietnam-U.S. relationship, forged through healing and reconciliation, to build a sustainable social foundation. Vietnam pledged continued cooperation in MIA searches and called for continued U.S. partnership in areas such as dioxin contamination, unexploded ordnance clearance, support for persons with disabilities, and assistance in identifying the remains of Vietnamese martyrs. General Secretary and President Lam concluded by reaffirming Vietnam's commitment to enhancing regional and global coordination to jointly contribute to peace, stability, and shared prosperity.