US commitment to Vietnam unaffected by East Sea tension: Commerce Secretary
US commitment to Vietnam unaffected by East Sea tension: Commerce Secretary
The ongoing tension over an illegal Chinese-run drilling rig in the East Vietnam Sea does not affect the long-term commitment of U.S. businesses to Vietnam, Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker told reporters on Monday.
This is a prime time for U.S. businesses to continue investing in Vietnam and taking advantage of the investment opportunity, Pritzker said at a press meeting in Hanoi.
The commerce secretary pressed that U.S. companies will still stay for a long time in Vietnam regardless of the ups and downs the ASEAN economy may go through.
Secretary Pritzker was in the country on Monday for a one-day visit as part of her tour through three ASEAN countries as leader of a delegation of U.S. CEOs and the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council.
She was received by Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang in the capital city.
Speaking at the reception, Pritzker stated that the U.S. is keen on boosting ties with Vietnam in all fields, including economic, commercial, and investment relations.
The commerce secretary also expressed her belief that the Vietnam-U.S. bilateral trade and investment links will continue to grow, especially after the Trans-Pacific Partnership is signed and takes effect.
Pritzker also reiterated the stance shared by the U.S. Congress and government that opposed China’s unilateral and provocative move of positioning its oil rig deep in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, which has sparked tensions in the East Vietnam Sea since early May.
The U.S. official said she supports the settlement of disputes through peaceful measures.
In response, President Sang expressed his hope that Vietnam and the U.S. will work closely to speed up the implementation of the joint statement signed in July, 2013, which includes agreements on trade and investment, for their mutual benefits, and peace and stability in Asia Pacific.
The Vietnamese president also thanked the U.S. Congress and government for their strong objection to China’s illegal placement of its oil rig within Vietnamese waters.
Commerce Secretary Pritzker was also received by Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.
The U.S. delegation left Vietnam the same day for the Philippines, where Secretary Pritzker will deliver remarks on America’s economic engagement in the Asia Pacific region, as well as meet with local government and business leaders.
The trip will wrap up with a final stop in Myanmar, where Secretary Pritzker will affirm the United States’ support for positive political and economic reform in meetings with civil society leaders, government officials, and the local business community.
The ASEAN tour is held as part of the Commerce Department’s efforts to further commercial ties and advance overall relationships between the U.S. and the ASEAN nations.
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