US President Joe Biden said that he will visit Vietnam “soon” in order to “change” the relationship with Hanoi, against the backdrop of tensions with China, both in the region and between Washington and Beijing.

“I’m going to Vietnam soon because Vietnam wants to change our relationship, to become a partner,” Mr. Biden said at a campaign fundraiser in New Mexico.

Asked about this announcement, a representative of Mr. Biden’s services at the White House limited himself to saying that he had “nothing more” to announce “at this time.”

During their meeting in April, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken expressed a desire to deepen bilateral relations.

Washington wants relations with Hanoi to take on the character of a “strategic” partnership. However, Vietnam’s government seems wary as it does not want to be seen as adopting a competitive stance against China, which is essential for the country’s exports in many ways, or for Russia, the country’s traditional partner.

Source:https://www.liberal.gr/diethni-themata/tzo-mpainten-prosehos-tha-episkeftei-bietnam