To Lam's US Visit: Economic and Security Maneuvers Amid US-China Tensions

Vietnamese President and General Secretary of the Communist Party, Tô Lâm, has concluded a series of official duties and meetings in the United States, prior to commencing a state visit to Canada on September 23 (local time). This visit to the US took place amidst a complex geopolitical landscape for Vietnam, particularly as strategic competition between the US and China intensifies. Mr. Tô Lâm delivered a speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, a forum that convened over 120 heads of state and government to engage in active discussions on global challenges. He reiterated Vietnam's consistent stance on resolving disputes in the South China Sea through peaceful means, based on international law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). He also called for greater leadership and restraint from major powers, underscoring Vietnam's commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and regional order amid China's increasing assertiveness in the maritime domain. Economically, Mr. Tô Lâm met with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, signaling that negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement are nearing completion. The US is Vietnam's largest export market, and the substantial trade surplus has been a point of concern for Washington. Mr. Tô Lâm addressed US accusations of Vietnam being a transit point for Chinese goods to evade tariffs, and the imposition of high tariffs on Vietnamese imports, asserting the importance of fair trade based on genuinely Vietnamese-produced goods. Politically, while Mr. Tô Lâm did not have a direct meeting with former President Donald Trump, he has previously met with President Biden and participated in initiatives led by Mr. Trump. The current visit suggests an effort by Mr. Tô Lâm to stabilize relations with the US and maintain economic growth by presenting himself as an economic pragmatist open to dialogue with foreign media. As a leader of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Mr. Tô Lâm has identified diplomacy as one of the four pillars of development, alongside private economy, science-technology, and institutional reform. Furthermore, Mr. Tô Lâm met with the Acting US Under Secretary of the Navy, Hùng Cao (a Vietnamese-American), aiming to strengthen connections with the Vietnamese diaspora in the US. This move can be seen as part of Vietnam's broader strategy to enhance its international standing and foster domestic unity. Mr. Tô Lâm's visit to the US highlights Vietnam's cautious diplomatic strategy of maximizing economic benefits while managing security risks within the overarching context of US-China rivalry. It particularly indicates Vietnam's ongoing efforts to balance international law and its national interests in addressing issues such as the South China Sea and trade disputes. Source: BBC Vietnamese