For Vietnam, Tensions With China Make the Case for Closer U.S. Ties

Facing heightened tensions with China, Vietnam is considering upgrading its security ties with the United States, even if some members of the Southeast Asian country's political elite remain skeptical. U.S. President Joe Biden suggested on July 31, Aug. 8 and again on Aug. 10 that the United States and Vietnam are poised to upgrade their bilateral relations from a "comprehensive partnership" to either a second-tier "strategic partnership" or first-tier "comprehensive strategic partnership," employing the terms Hanoi uses to classify bilateral partnerships. Biden said that he will be visiting Vietnam "shortly" to lay the groundwork for the formal upgrade before its possible signing on the sidelines of the September G-20 summit in India....