Time to upgrade US-Vietnam relationship, says US envoy

“Upgrading the relationship with Vietnam to strategic partnership is a priority, not just for myself but the U.S. government,” Knapper said at a press conference in Hanoi, responding to a VnExpress International query about what he sees as the priorities during his tenure.

He noted that U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris had mentioned her government’s strong desire to upgrade the relationship when she visited Vietnam last year.

The U.S. believes that upgrading it to a strategic partnership will not only be an accurate reflection of the kind of work the two sides are doing together, but also open the door to much deeper and broader cooperation between two countries.

He said he and other U.S. officials have had conversations with representatives of the Vietnamese government to understand how two countries can grow a relationship and “expanding this is another part of my ongoing responsibilities.”

He said that in 2023, when the U.S. and Vietnam will celebrate 10 years of their comprehensive partnership, it would be great if this is upgraded to the next level, but he did not want to make any predictions.

It’s up to bilateral conversations to figure out how and when both sides could achieve the goal, he said, reemphasizing that the U.S. was hopeful that the “two countries can get it done as soon as possible.”

Knapper said the U.S. and Vietnam were working together on issues that are basic to the well-being of both nations.

“If that’s not strategic cooperation, I’m not sure what it is.”

Knapper said the Biden administration is very focused on the region, as can be seen in the content of its Indo Pacific strategy released recently. It is a way of road map of how the U.S. wants to develop its ties with this part of the world.

The strategy shows that the U.S. and its partners stand for a free and open Indo Pacific region, in which countries are free from coercion. It shows that countries must be able to move goods and people around freely through the seas and the air. Countries must be able to make decisions based on their own interests and not those that are imposed on them, the envoy stressed.

Knapper said the U.S. was very committed to working with Vietnam to strengthen its maritime security and maritime domain awareness capabilities.

The U.S. has given two Coast Guard cutters to Vietnam, a clear expression of the nation’s interest in this regard, he added.

“We are prepared to transfer a third Coast Guard cutter,” he said.