Move FM Global News

WASHINGTON D.C.: During a telephone call this week on the sidelines of the Summit for Democracy, US President Joe Biden and Nguyen Phu Trong, head of Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party, agreed to “promote, develop and deepen” their relations.

A call is a rare engagement for Biden with a foreign leader who is not a head of state or government.

In a statement about the call, the White House said Biden reinforced the commitment of the US for a strong, prosperous, resilient, and independent Vietnam, and the two countries will ‘work together to address regional challenges and ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

As the former enemies are celebrating the 10th anniversary of a “comprehensive partnership” this year, the US is now Vietnam’s largest export market, despite Hanoi being careful to not alienate its neighbor China.

In October, Trong was the first foreign leader to meet President Xi Jinping in Beijing after he secured a precedent-breaking third term as General Secretary at the Chinese Communist Party.

Meanwhile, Washington has criticized Vietnam’s human rights record.

According to the White House statement, Biden also stressed the commitment of the US to the centrality of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), respect for human rights and cooperation on climate goals.

Meanwhile, Nhan Dan, Vietnam’s state newspaper, said, “The two leaders will assign relevant authorities of the two sides to discuss details for further promoting ties.”