Link to Article: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/vietnam-chases-us-deals-as-top-official-flies-to-meet-trump-team/ar-AA1ANI4y?ocid=AARDHP
“Vietnam’s top trade official is heading to the United States in a bid to persuade President Donald Trump’s team that Hanoi is serious about resetting trade ties.” This is to avoid the imposition of tariffs which would hurt their heavily export driven economy.
Trade minister Nguyen Hong Dien is to meet US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and United States Trade Rep in order to discuss a bilateral trade agreement to benefit both states. The United States ran a $123.5 billion trade deficit with Vietnam in 2024, and the new administration’s agenda is to rectify unfair trading policies. Vietnam is China’s third-largest export destination in 2024, meaning the country is at the forefront of the economic conflict between the two superpowers.
Vietnam has the world’s second largest reserves for rare earth minerals; adding up to roughly 22 million tons sitting just behind China (US Geological Survey). This could show why the United States is interested in discussing trade with Vietnam due to the recent interest in acquiring rare earth minerals; likely as a way to one up China. Vietnam has also sought to persuade the Trump administration with promises to buy big-ticket US items such as aircraft, liquefied natural gas and high-tech products.
This article is important as it begins to highlight the United States’s developing foreign policy. The opposition to China is becoming very clear as the administration executes certain trade deals across the globe. First the mineral deal with Ukraine and now with Vietnam shows the United States competing with China with rare earth minerals, almost feeling cold war esk.
According to the article, this is a part of the United State’s foreign policy plan. It discusses how Vietnam may be interested in purchasing American defense (weapons, aircraft, etc.) Which is, according to the article, “in line with the American goal of containing China”. This meeting with Vietnam and the United States could also be seeking closer cooperation when dealing with the Chinese treat in the South China Sea. America could be seeking greater access to the South China Sea via Vietnamese naval facilities. This all related to the international security unit we have covered in class as it discusses foreign policy, trade, and potential for America gaining fo access to the South China Sea to contain the Chinese influence.