STATE DEPARTMENT — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is visiting Vietnam and Japan this week.
As the first visit to Vietnam for the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, this trip is expected to bolster the bilateral relationship as both countries prepare for the upcoming formal visits of their leaders, according to analysts. The visits could potentially happen later this year. Following his visit to Vietnam, Blinken will travel to Japan on April 16 to attend a meeting of foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) in the town of Karuizawa, Nagano prefecture, where they will discuss crucial security issues.
Comprehensive Partnership anniversary
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit Vietnam to enhance the countries' 10-year-old Comprehensive Partnership and to explore the possibility of a strategic partnership. The trip precedes formal visits by leaders of both countries to each other's capitals. The US and Vietnam enjoy robust security ties, with the US providing security assistance to Vietnam's military and conducting naval ship visits. The US is Vietnam's largest export market, and Vietnam is the US's eighth-largest trading partner in goods. Blinken's trip to Vietnam will be followed by a meeting of foreign ministers from the Group of Seven in Japan to discuss critical security issues.
Vietnam, China Relation
Vietnam has a three-tier diplomatic relationship with other countries, with the United States currently ranked as a third-tier partner. However, Vietnam maintains independent foreign policies and does not want to choose sides between Washington and Beijing amid growing tensions and geopolitical competition. Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Vietnam in 2018, while Vietnamese Communist Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong was among the first foreign leaders to visit Beijing last October. Although Vietnam has appeared reluctant to upgrade its ties with the U.S. to a strategic partnership due to concerns about China's reaction, analysts suggest that their leaders are interested in expanding the bilateral relationship. During his visit to Hanoi, Secretary of State Antony Blinken will also participate in a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new U.S. Embassy.
Human Rights
Human rights groups urge Vietnam to halt the crackdown on critics as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visits the country. Currently, over 160 political prisoners are being held in Vietnam for exercising their basic rights, according to Human Rights Watch. Among these prisoners is journalist and human rights defender Pham Doan Trang, who was awarded the 2022 International Women of Courage Award by the U.S. State Department. The issue of human rights is expected to be on the agenda as Blinken meets with senior Vietnamese officials during his first trip to the country as the top U.S. diplomat.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken plans to address human rights concerns during his visit to Vietnam this week. Despite recent improvements, Vietnam has been criticized for the persecution of journalists, activists, and political dissidents, with more than 160 political prisoners currently being held. Blinken’s visit comes as Vietnam and the United States look to advance their bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership, which could include mutual visits by leaders to each other's capitals. Blinken will also attend G-7 meetings in Japan, where topics including Russia’s war against Ukraine, nuclear disarmament, food and energy security, and advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific will be discussed.