U.S. supports Vietnam in commerce, freedom of navigation and overflight

July 11, 2020 marked the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and Vietnam.

To mark the occasion, Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong and his U.S. counterpart Donald J. Trump exchanged letters noting their shared vision of a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific and respect for each country’s sovereignty.

In his letter, Trong said both countries have overcome geographical distance and divergences to advance the bilateral ties in a progressive and stable manner during the past 25 years, making the world’s largest economy one of Vietnam’s top partners in various fields.

In recent years, the two nations have actively maintained effective cooperation, focused on removing obstacles, especially those related to trade and finance, according to the Vietnamese leader.

He noted the nations have gradually consolidated and enhanced the Comprehensive Partnership on the basis of respect for the United Nations Charter, international law, and each other’s political systems, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Under the spirit of shelving the past, overcoming divergences, promoting similarities and looking to the future, Trong expressed his belief that the bilateral partnership would be further deepened effectively and sustainably for the benefits of the two peoples and for security, peace and prosperity in the region and the world.

White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany reaffirmed in a statement that both leaders are committed to further expanding the Comprehensive Partnership by increasing people-to-people ties; partnering to ensure that trade and investment is free, fair, and reciprocal; collaborating on humanitarian and legacy of war issues; and growing the strategic cooperation through expanded military ties.

“We congratulate Vietnam on an outstanding year as the Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and are excited to announce that the United States and Vietnam have reached an agreement that will bring Peace Corps volunteers to Vietnam,” said McEnany.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo stated in a statement that over the last quarter century, the two countries have built a partnership and friendship founded on shared interests, mutual respect, and people-to-people ties.

“Our everyday interactions are highlighted by increasing trade and investment ties, strategic cooperation, and collaboration on humanitarian and legacy of war issues, including the solemn duty of accounting for our wartime missing,” said Pompeo.

In recent years, the countries have strengthened and expanded their Comprehensive Partnership, based on a shared vision of a stable and peaceful Indo-Pacific region, as well as respect for each other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political systems.

“We commend Vietnam for its outstanding Chairmanship of ASEAN this year, especially in coordinating ASEAN’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and issues related to economic recovery,” he said.

He added the ties between the American and Vietnamese peoples grow deeper every year.  America’s vibrant and engaged Vietnamese-American community makes the U.S. strong and prosperous.

“We value the cross-cultural role played by the nearly 30,000 Vietnamese students studying in the United States and more than 1,200 Americans studying in Vietnam annually. We look forward to Fulbright University Vietnam graduating its first class of undergraduates in 2023,” he said.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan exchanged congratulatory messages with President Donald Trump, Vice President Michael Pence, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh extended congratulations to U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo.