Vietnam Defence Forum

[Carlosa]

Vietnam Seeks South China Sea Assurances in Prime Minister's US Visit
Trump has been unusually quiet on the issue of most concern to Vietnam.

By Du Nhat Dang
May 31, 2017

http://thediplomat.com/2017/05/vietnam-seeks-south-china-sea-assurances-in-prime-ministers-us-visit/

On Wednesday, Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc will be the first Southeast Asia leader to visit the White House since the inauguration of President Donald Trump, part of a three-day visit to the United States.

Now is the time for U.S. President Donald Trump to reassure Vietnam about Washington’s policy toward the South China Sea. Vietnam, as well as some other countries in East Asia and Southeast Asia, still expect U.S. leadership on one of the hottest points in the South China Sea issue: how to deal with China.

Vietnamese leadership has two main possibilities in terms of diplomatic relations. One option is to promote the value of its increasingly improved ties with the United States. The second option is to keep up Vietnam’s tendency of a moderate approach to China, in order to maintain stability at home and abroad.

Vietnam has made efforts to show its willingness to improve relations with the United States since Barack Obama administration. Vietnam, together with the Philippines, has been the most active in confronting China’s claims over the South China Sea.

Compared to the Philippines, Vietnam is perhaps even more forward-leaning, as many Vietnamese consider China their most hated enemy. From school books to thousands of articles on social media and discussions on every street corner, the word “China” has been always stirred up harsh feelings.

If faced with a choice between China and the United States, Vietnamese public opinion would choose the latter. Vietnamese appear more willing to forgive historical enmity with the United States. For example, consider the story of Fulbright University Vietnam’s launch back in 2016. Some Vietnamese media outlets criticized the appointment of former Senator Bob Kerrey as chairman of the board of the new school, because of his role in the massacre at Thanh Phong (Ben Tre) in February 1969. But public opinion at the time tended to protect Kerrey, and called for tolerance as both countries head for the future.

Looking at the history of the United States-Vietnam-China triangle, Vietnam has long played a very important role in the United States’ presence in the Asia-Pacific.

And if North Korea is Trump’s main foreign policy concern at the moment, he should also consider Vietnam’s stance. Last year, Hanoi, in an unusual move, condemned the North Korean nuclear test despite the fact that Pyongyang is one of the few remaining communist countries in the world. Observers consider that Vietnam could serve as the United States’ perfect “bridge” to North Korea.

Trump called on Vietnamese and other Association of Southeast Asia (ASEAN) leaders in April to discuss North Korea.

The improvement in Vietnam- U.S. relations is well-timed. China is accelerating its ambitions to control the South China Sea. According to Reuters, China recently installed rocket launchers on Fiery Cross Reef, a dispute feature in the South China Sea, in order to flex its military muscle. Some defense experts have argued that it might already be too late to stop Beijing from dominating the region.

At the same time, China has prompted ASEAN countries to reach an agreement on a South China Sea Code of Conduct (COC) after a meeting between Chinese and ASEAN officials in the Chinese city of Guiyang. The state-run Global Times hailed the progress on the COC, calling it a “symbol of the enhancement of China-ASEAN political mutual trust as well as strengthened will and capability by regional countries to handle regional affairs.” The China-ASEAN consultation “proves that regional countries can take full responsibility in maintaining South China Sea peace and stability without exterior disturbances,” Global Times continued.

The progress in China-ASEAN outreach might be partially explained by the fact that Vietnam’s hopes for U.S. support have been dimmed since Trump took office. Hanoi needs a commitment from the Trump administration over the South China Sea, and has not been satisfied with U.S. comments thus far.

Since quitting the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Trump has been silent on the South China Sea. Moreover, Trump’s attitude toward powerful allies such as Japan and South Korea has also become cold, in accordance with his “America First” policy. Instead of keeping close to these allies, Trump asked Japan and South Korea to pay more of the costs for sustaining U.S. troops, as well as suggesting that Seoul should pay $1 billion to deploy the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. Japan and South Korea have not been pleased, and this has raised potential concerns in Vietnam too.

Meanwhile, the Philippines seems to be turning toward China and away from the United States. President Rodrigo Duterte arrived in Russia on May 23, and praised Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of his efforts to end Manila’s dependence on the United States. Manila currently holds the rotating chairmanship of ASEAN, and can take advantage of that role to seek benefits. At the moment, Vietnam seems to be the only country in Southeast Asia that wants to be a strong U.S. ally in defying China’s sovereignty claims.

The attitude of the Philippines shows that Trump’s neglect of Asia leads to the risk of sharing U.S. influence in the region. As Trump prioritized bilateral relations over multilateral efforts and highlights the Middle East as the focal point of U.S. diplomacy, China has enlisted much of the Asia-Pacific to its side through a combination of repression and assurances, including the One Belt, One Road initiative. In this context, Phuc’s visit is a chance for Trump to seize back the initiative and give a clear statement of U.S. commitment to the Asia-Pacific.

Du Nhat Dang is a Vietnamese reporter who works for Tuoi Tre newspaper in Vietnam. He graduated from the Faculty of Journalism and Communication, University of Social Sciences and Humanites in Ho Chi Minh City. He is a fellow at the Reporting ASEAN program, which supports articles about ASEAN.

 

[Viet]

Trump hails signing of deals worth 'billions' with Vietnam
6 Hours Ago Reuters

T.J. Kirkpatrick | Bloomberg | Getty Images - President Donald Trump, left, shakes hands with Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Vietnam's prime minister, at the West Wing of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, May 31, 2017.


President Donald Trump discussed trade with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc during a White House visit on Wednesday and welcomed the signing of business deals worth billions of dollars and the jobs they would bring.

General Electric Co said earlier it had signed deals with Vietnam worth about $5.58 billion for power generation, aircraft engines and services, its largest ever single combined sale with the country.

"They just made a very large order in the United States - and we appreciate that - for many billions of dollars, which means jobs for the United States and great, great equipment for Vietnam," Trump told reporters at the White House.

Phuc said on Tuesday he would sign deals for U.S. goods and services worth $15 billion to $17 billion during his Washington visit, mainly for high-technology products and for services. Communist Vietnam has gone from being a bitter adversary of the United States during the Cold War to an important partner in the Asia-Pacific, where both countries share concerns about China's rising power.

Phuc told Trump the relationship had undergone "significant upheavals in history," but that the two countries were now "comprehensive partners."

However, while Hanoi and Washington have stepped up security cooperation in recent years, trade has become a potential irritant, with a deficit widening steadily in Vietnam's favor, reaching $32 billion last year, compared with $7 billion a decade earlier.

Trump, who has had strong words for countries with large trade surpluses with the United States, said he would be discussing trade with Phuc, as well as North Korea. Washington has been seeking support for efforts to pressure North Korea to drop its nuclear and missile programs, which have become an increasing threat to the United States. Hanoi has said it shares concerns about North Korea.

Analysts said that while the Trump administration welcomed new business deals with Vietnam, it wants to see moves on trade.

Murray Hiebert, a Southeast Asia expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington said the view was that deals were "nice, but not enough."

"They want Vietnam to bring some ideas about how to tackle the surplus on an ongoing basis, he said.

On Tuesday, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer expressed concern about the rapid growth of the deficit with Vietnam. He said it was a new challenge for the two countries and he was looking to Phuc to help address it. The deficit with Vietnam - Washington's sixth largest - reflects growing imports of Vietnamese semiconductors and other electronics products in addition to more traditional sectors such as footwear, apparel and furniture.

Vietnamese Trade Minister Tran Tuan Anh presented Lighthizer on Tuesday with suggestions to address some U.S. concerns, such as advertising on U.S. social media, electronic payment services and imports of information security and farm products, Vietnam's trade ministry said.

Vietnam also urged the United States to remove an inspection program for catfish, speed import licenses for its fruit and make fair decisions on anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures on Vietnamese products, the ministry said.

Vietnam was disappointed when Trump ditched the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pact, of which Hanoi was expected to be one of the main beneficiaries, and focused U.S. trade policy on reducing deficits. Phuc's meeting with Trump makes him the first Southeast Asian leader to visit the White House under the new administration.

It reflected calls, letters, diplomatic contacts and lower-level visits that started long before Trump took office in Washington, where Vietnam retains a lobbyist at $30,000 a month.

 

[Viet]

US destroyer John McCain docks at Camranh bay for maintenance.

 

[frequency]

Trump hails signing of deals worth 'billions' with Vietnam
6 Hours Ago Reuters

T.J. Kirkpatrick | Bloomberg | Getty Images - President Donald Trump, left, shakes hands with Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Vietnam's prime minister, at the West Wing of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, May 31, 2017.


President Donald Trump discussed trade with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc during a White House visit on Wednesday and welcomed the signing of business deals worth billions of dollars and the jobs they would bring.

General Electric Co said earlier it had signed deals with Vietnam worth about $5.58 billion for power generation, aircraft engines and services, its largest ever single combined sale with the country.

"They just made a very large order in the United States - and we appreciate that - for many billions of dollars, which means jobs for the United States and great, great equipment for Vietnam," Trump told reporters at the White House.

Phuc said on Tuesday he would sign deals for U.S. goods and services worth $15 billion to $17 billion during his Washington visit, mainly for high-technology products and for services. Communist Vietnam has gone from being a bitter adversary of the United States during the Cold War to an important partner in the Asia-Pacific, where both countries share concerns about China's rising power.

Phuc told Trump the relationship had undergone "significant upheavals in history," but that the two countries were now "comprehensive partners."

However, while Hanoi and Washington have stepped up security cooperation in recent years, trade has become a potential irritant, with a deficit widening steadily in Vietnam's favor, reaching $32 billion last year, compared with $7 billion a decade earlier.

Trump, who has had strong words for countries with large trade surpluses with the United States, said he would be discussing trade with Phuc, as well as North Korea. Washington has been seeking support for efforts to pressure North Korea to drop its nuclear and missile programs, which have become an increasing threat to the United States. Hanoi has said it shares concerns about North Korea.

Analysts said that while the Trump administration welcomed new business deals with Vietnam, it wants to see moves on trade.

Murray Hiebert, a Southeast Asia expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington said the view was that deals were "nice, but not enough."

"They want Vietnam to bring some ideas about how to tackle the surplus on an ongoing basis, he said.

On Tuesday, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer expressed concern about the rapid growth of the deficit with Vietnam. He said it was a new challenge for the two countries and he was looking to Phuc to help address it. The deficit with Vietnam - Washington's sixth largest - reflects growing imports of Vietnamese semiconductors and other electronics products in addition to more traditional sectors such as footwear, apparel and furniture.

Vietnamese Trade Minister Tran Tuan Anh presented Lighthizer on Tuesday with suggestions to address some U.S. concerns, such as advertising on U.S. social media, electronic payment services and imports of information security and farm products, Vietnam's trade ministry said.

Vietnam also urged the United States to remove an inspection program for catfish, speed import licenses for its fruit and make fair decisions on anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures on Vietnamese products, the ministry said.

Vietnam was disappointed when Trump ditched the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pact, of which Hanoi was expected to be one of the main beneficiaries, and focused U.S. trade policy on reducing deficits. Phuc's meeting with Trump makes him the first Southeast Asian leader to visit the White House under the new administration.

It reflected calls, letters, diplomatic contacts and lower-level visits that started long before Trump took office in Washington, where Vietnam retains a lobbyist at $30,000 a month.

I don't think so. Food safety is something Americans and most developed countries are very keen about. Vietnamese leadership should stop complaining about it and do something about their food safety. Nothing is more dangerous than importing poisonous goods to US borders. Food safety regulations in Vietnam should be in place. Fishing should also be regulated so people don't abuse the water.

 

[Viet]

A little economy. During the visit, VN gives the goahead to the $2 billion 800MW wind power project of a Ireland/VN/US joint venture. Some figures are revealed on the occasion: Vietnam will install 7,500MW power generation a year thru 2030, so adding some 100,000MW into the current installed power generation capacity. 6,000MW will be of wind and 12,000MW of solar.

https://www.irishtimes.com/business...build-windfarms-in-vietnam-1.3103165?mode=amp

 

[Viet]

I don't think so. Food safety is something Americans and most developed countries are very keen about. Vietnamese leadership should stop complaining about it and do something about their food safety. Nothing is more dangerous than importing poisonous goods to US borders. Food safety regulations in Vietnam should be in place. Fishing should also be regulated so people don't abuse the water.

You are right. Asking others for relaxing food safety rules is shortsighted. No, VN must implement strict rules on food security, which will benefit our export performance in the long run. VN exports food products worth $32b last year, little Holland more than $80b. If we achieve the level of Holland's food quality and safety, our export can reach $200b a year. We can feed the people of western Europe.

 

[Viet]

GOVERNMENT

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, US President Donald Trump hold talks
Last update: 10:19 | 01/06/2017

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and US President Donald Trump held talks in Washingotn DC on May 31 (local time), discussing ways to develop bilateral ties in a more substantive manner.

President Donald Trump comes to greet PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc


Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and US President Donald Trump discussed measures to develop the two countries’ relations in a more substantive manner during their talks at the White House, Washington DC, on May 31 (local time).

After President Trump came to greet and invite PM Phuc to the White House, the Government leader of Vietnam wrote in the guest book at the Roosevelt Room and had a 15-minute private meeting with President Trump.

Later, they led the two countries’ delegations to have talks at the Cabinet Room.

President Trump welcomed the official visit to the US by PM Phuc and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, affirming that he attaches importance to Vietnam-US relations as well as the role of Vietnam and ASEAN in the region. He said he wants the two countries’ ties to continue developing strongly in the time ahead.

PM Phuc acknowledged the warm welcome of President Trump and the US administration, stressing that Vietnam treasures its comprehensive partnership with the US and highly values recent steps taken by the Trump administration to implement the policy towards the Asian-Pacific region.

The two leaders noted with satisfaction the extensive development of the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership in various spheres, both bilaterally and multilaterally, and shared the view that there remain a number of opportunities for bilateral ties.

They affirmed the commitment to keeping efforts to boost Vietnam-US relations in a stable, long-term, constructive and mutual beneficiary fashion, which will not only benefit the two countries but also peace, stability, cooperation and development in Asia-Pacific and the world, on the basis of compliance with the UN Charter and international law, respect for each other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political regime.

Regarding ways to enhance the countries’ connections, they agreed to increase delegation exchanges and meetings, especially at high level, improve the effectiveness of existing cooperation mechanisms, and consider the establishment of new cooperation mechanisms that suit the expansion of bilateral ties in the new period.

PM Phuc and President Trump agreed to join efforts to boost win-win economic partnership. They emphasised that development cooperation remains a focus in the economic-trade relations between Vietnam and the US.

PM Phuc affirmed Vietnam’s resolve to press on with economic restructuring and integration into the world, and stepping up the two countries’ win-win cooperation in economy, trade and investment. He asked both sides consider the formation of a value chain from production to consumption to make use of the two economies’ complementary feature.

President Trump welcomed the settlement of some prioritised trade issues, including the opening of their markets for each other’s agricultural and industrial products and information technology products and services.

The two leaders were unanimous in effectively carrying out the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement to deal with bilateral economic problems in a constructive and fair spirit and to satisfy each side’s legitimate interests.

They also agreed to strengthen cooperation in other bilateral aspects such as humanitarian aid, war consequences settlement, people-to-people exchanges, science-technology, education-training, health care, and defence-security.

At the talks, PM Phuc and President Trump affirmed that Vietnam and the US share common interests in Asia-Pacific, including the maintenance of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region.

The Vietnamese leader welcomes the US’s continued participation in and actively contribution to the building of regional security and economic structures. He assured that Vietnam will continue to work closely with the US, including in the upcoming APEC meetings and the East Asia Summit.

The US President noted his country continues to support ASEAN’s central role and promote the US-ASEAN strategic partnership. It also supports Vietnam to successfully organise APEC activities in 2017, adding that he looks forwards to his visit to Vietnam in November to attend the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

Additionally, the two leaders underlined the importance of the freedom of navigation in and overflight over the East Sea, affirming their support for the peaceful settlement of disputes on the basis of international law, including the full respect for diplomatic and legal processes. They applauded the progress of negotiations on an effective and meaningful Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

PM Phuc and President Trump said they support the denuclearisation in the Korean Peninsula and asked all parties concerned to seriously implement relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council.

At the talks, PM Phuc, on behalf of the leaders of the Vietnamese Party and State, invited President Trump and his spouse and family to pay an official visit to Vietnam and attend the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting this year. President Trump accepted the invitation.

Prior to the talks, PM Phuc and President Trump hosted a meeting with the press. The two sides issued a joint statement on Vietnam-US relations after the talks.

President Donald Trump welcomes PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the White House

The two leaders have a 15-minute private meeting before the talks

This is the first official trip to the US by Nguyen Xuan Phuc as the PM of Vietnam and also the first time since the two countries had new leaders that a Vietnamese senior leader meets with President Trump

The Government leader of Vietnam is on an official visit to the US from May 29 to 31

After their private talks, PM Phuc and President Trump lead the two countries' delegations to have talks

The talks take place at the Cabinet Room

VNA

 

[NEKONEKO]

No Indonesia has neither the capacity nor the will to fight for Vietnam. Only delusional dreamers believe the indo will intervene on Vietnam behalf if the Chinese turn the region into a slaughterhouse. Have you read indonesia white paper, the official defense policy? For them, the SC sea conflict does not exist. Any confrontation can be ruled out.
America is no longer Vietnam's enemy. Why should we not increase our cooperation with them? Should we stop our cooperations with France and Japan too because they are our former enemies? But for what reasons? To sastify some peaceful rise propaganda of some people, keeping our nation weak, poor and vulnerable?

Yes, but now Jakarta more cncerned about SCS.
Just like the cold war era, Indonesia will stay Neutral and if possible try to deescalate tension. Highly unlikely Indonesia will make/join any alliance, The most you can get is a good friendly relationship with trust, and respect to each other.
Non-Aligned Movement FTW BTW

When it comes to SCS they've been trying to stay neutral and they are trying to get a lot of investment from China. I don't see Indo challenging China other than in the Natuna area. Their interests and ASEAN interests are not quite the same.

because their claim only overlap Indonesian EEZ at Natuna area,

 

[Viet]

Yes, but now Jakarta more cncerned about SCS.
Just like the cold war era, Indonesia will stay Neutral and if possible try to deescalate tension. Highly unlikely Indonesia will make/join any alliance, The most you can get is a good friendly relationship with trust, and respect to each other.
Non-Aligned Movement FTW BTW


because their claim only overlap Indonesian EEZ at Natuna area,

Neutrality, non alignment, respect, trust, peaceful path etc all sound good, but useless even an invitation for aggression if a much more powerful opponent waits for the best moment to attack you. If VN was in the NATO, you think the Chinese would dare to threaten us with military force? Or as you can hear the statements of Chinese posters here and there in 5 or 10 or 15 years they are ready to take back their rightful territories.

Should we wait until that happens?

 

[Viet]

Hanoi June 1. Receiving US Senate Committee on Military Affairs, led by Senator John McCain, the legislative body that oversees the US armed forces. Report surfaces Vietnam was asked and apparently has no objection if the US sends US aircraft carrier to Camranh bay for visit, resupply and maintenance. Remarkable, because that is the first time since end of Vietnam war, that three US aircraft carriers operate in close proximity to Vietnam. USS Carl Vinson, USS Ronald Reagan and USS Nimitz.

USS Nimitz

 

[GraveDigger388]

Neutrality, non alignment, respect, trust, peaceful path etc all sound good, but useless even an invitation for aggression if a much more powerful opponent waits for the best moment to attack you. If VN was in the NATO, you think the Chinese would dare to threaten us with military force? Or as you can hear the statements of Chinese posters here and there in 5 or 10 or 15 years they are ready to take back their rightful territories.

Should we wait until that happens?

In other hand, such neutralities open more opportunities of cooperation with more countries, regardless their alignment..

Glass half full, buddy... Glass half full.

 

[gtiger]

Apparently the decommissioned USCG Morganthau cutter that was transferred to Vietnam spent a few of its early years in Vietnam as part of the Operation Market Time to interdict supply routes from North to South Vietnam.

It's a full circle, and somebody on the American side apparently had a sense of humor (the ship was considered to be sent to the Philippines.)

 

[Viet]

In other hand, such neutralities open more opportunities of cooperation with more countries, regardless their alignment..

Glass half full, buddy... Glass half full.

Sure neutrality has advantages you are right, the problem is that in most cases the reality dictates real politics. Switzerland is a neutral country. Can Germany be neutral? In theory yes, but it could lead again to a situation prior WWI and II. Indonesia can maintain neutrality, you face no existential threat. In contrast the case of Vietnam, yes.

Apparently the decommissioned USCG Morganthau cutter that was transferred to Vietnam spent a few of its early years in Vietnam as part of the Operation Market Time to interdict supply routes from North to South Vietnam.

It's a full circle, and somebody on the American side apparently had a sense of humor (the ship was considered to be sent to the Philippines.)

There is a german proverb: man sieht sich immer zweimal im Leben (you always meet twice). US senator John McCain is currently for a visit in Vietnam. He once served as fighter pilot during Vietnam war. During a bombing campaign over Hanoi, his plane was shot down by north Vietnamese air defense. McCain was heavily wounded, spending more than 5 years in prison as POW, trying to kill himself twice. Today he is one of most vocal supporters for US/VN normalization.

 

[Viet]

Confirmed. Donald Trump will visit Vietnam in November.

Helicopter carrier Izumo (together with US fast transport vessel USNS Fall River) at Cam Ranh Bay on May 20. Like the United States, Japan government will likely ask Vietnam for more access to the strategic bay to Japanese warships, when Phuc pays a visit to Japan this weekend.

 

[Viet]

Phuc visits the submarine fleet recently. An interesting analysis of a certain country tries to predict how Vietnam submarines would respond in time of crisis: the Kilos armed with Mach-3 Kalibr cruise missiles would cut off the sea lanes between the two big oceans in the Strait of Malacca, bringing the entire sea traffic to a standstill.

To the author: unfortunately there is a "little" disadvantage of the Kilo: the range is limited to 300km, because the Russians refused to deliver the longer Kalibr version. Otherwise the Kilo can strike a target 2,500km away.