US, Vietnam sign 'comprehensive strategic partnership' during Biden's visit

The United States and Vietnam on Sunday (September 10) signed the deal to deepen relations and cooperation on strategic supply during a visit by US President Joe Biden to the Asian nation. Biden's visit to Vietnam has come amid increasing Chinese influence and assertiveness in the region.

Biden flew to Vietnam after attending G20 Summit in New Delhi. He met Nguyen Phu Trong, leader of Vietnam's ruling Communist Party andsigned on a "comprehensive strategic partnership" which is Vietnam's highest level of diplomatic ties.

The US has in recent years, sought to take proactive steps in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in the South China Sea area. China has been attempting to enhance its influence in the region.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

"This can be the beginning of even a greater era of cooperation," Biden said as he met Trong, Vietnam's paramount leader.

"Vietnam and the United States are critical partners at what I would argue is a very critical time."

The deal with Vietnam puts the US on par with China and other countries like Russia, India and South Korea, in the Vietnamese hierarchy of diplomatic relations.

"We're deepening our cooperation on critical emerging technologies, particularly around building a more resilient semiconductor supply chain," Biden said.

Trong thanked Biden for his contribution to improving US-Vietnamese ties. He said Vietnam would work hard to implement the new agreement with the US.

Rare earth minerals in the mix

Ahead of Biden's arrival, US Deputy National Security Adviser Joe Finer told reporters that talks between the US and Vietnam would also cover supplies of rare earth minerals which are used in the manufacture of high-tech devices like smartphones and electric car batteries.

Vietnam has world's second-largest deposits of rare earth minerals after China. US has said that Vietnam has a key role to play as it aims to source less from China.

Biden moved last month to restrict US investment in Chinese technology in sensitive areas including semiconductors, quantum computing and artificial intelligence.

India-Europe corridor not to hurt China: Biden

Biden addressed a press conference in Hanoi after the agreement between the US and Vietnam was signed. While talking about variety of topics, Biden stressed that the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) was not an attempt to China.

During the G20 Summit, India, US, the EU, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Italy and UAE signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) over the IMEC.

The IMEC is widely perceived to be a counter to the China-led Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Biden said during the press conference that he met Chinese Premier Li Qiang during the G20 Summit. Chinese President Xi Jinping had skipped the summit and sent the premier instead.

"We talked about stability... it wasn't confrontational at all," Biden said.

He added that he hoped to meet Xi Jinping sooner or later.

"I don't want to contain China," he said. But also alleged that China was "beginning to change some of the rules of the game" in international relations.

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE