Vietnam and the US have upgraded their relations for 8 months since President Joe Biden's official visit to Vietnam in September 2023. This is an important milestone, bringing Vietnam-US relations to a new level when establishing the framework of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and is continuing to be concretized by new cooperation moves that have taken place since then. Recently, on May 8 (US time), the US Department of Commerce held a hearing on upgrading Vietnam's market economy status. This is an important step in the process of reviewing the application for recognition of Vietnam's market economy status. Media 21 Vietnam conducted an interview with US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper.
One thing that has been mentioned a lot in the history of Vietnam-US relations is the period of good and promising cooperation between the two sides in the fight against fascism. What do you think about this historical chapter? I really think that the story of our two countries' friendship began in 1944-1945, when the first meeting took place between President Ho Chi Minh and members of the US Office of Strategic Services (OSS) in Kunming, China. They discussed cooperation and realized that the two sides had common interests and goals, specifically in the fight against fascism. After that, the Viet Minh assisted American pilots in distress and provided intelligence to the US. And we provided radios and weapons to you. It was a particularly promising time.

US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper in an interview. Photo: M21

In February 1946, President Ho Chi Minh wrote to President Harry Truman, seeking help in regaining Vietnam’s independence, while pledging comprehensive cooperation and “full cooperation” between the two countries. Last year, as we prepared for President Biden’s visit and the elevation of our relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the old story resurfaced in our dialogue. In that respect, we have realized Ho Chi Minh’s vision, albeit 77 years late (1946-2023).

We cannot sit back and regret the past. While it took us a while to work toward a relationship like today. Vietnam and the United States started as friends and sometimes, things didn’t go well in our friendship. But the two countries found each other again and have continued to nurture that friendship for more than 30 years.

Ultimately, we realized that President Ho Chi Minh had a very clear vision. It’s a long way to go. Historians often like to go into what’s called counterfactual analysis, “What if this or that had happened?” They like to talk about what would have happened if Harry Truman had read the letter and accepted Ho Chi Minh’s proposal. But I’m not a historian, I’m a diplomat. I really can’t spend too much time thinking about “what ifs.” We have to think about what actually happened. We can’t just sit around and regret the past. While it took us a while to try to get to where we are today, Vietnam and the United States started out as friends and sometimes things didn’t go right in the friendship. But the two countries found each other again and have continued to cultivate that friendship for over 30 years. Common values, common goals and common interests Today, the world in general and Southeast Asia in particular are strongly dominated by the comprehensive strategic competition between the US and China. In your opinion, where is Vietnam in this situation? With China, we will cooperate whenever possible, but we will not give up competing to win, we have to do so. This is something that President Biden has said very clearly. We have to admit that there are some areas where the US and China do not share the same views. We must always be true to our values, as well as promote the interests of the country. Then, we have helped promote the interests of allies, partners, friends, like with Vietnam. Vietnam is an important partner of the US. Vietnam is not a chess piece on the strategic chessboard. In the US-Vietnam relationship, Vietnam possesses its own intrinsic values. The United States is taking on a role in providing Vietnam with the support it needs to make the transition to a cleaner, greener economy. A strong Vietnam, a prosperous Vietnam that is an integral part of the global supply chain. A Vietnam that is a more secure partner in terms of interests in the South China Sea… All of these things are not only in Vietnam’s interest, they are in the United States’ interest. So in that sense, we see shared values, we see shared goals, we see shared interests, and these are the things that we want to continue to promote as partners with Vietnam.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Joe Biden in Hanoi on September 10, 2023. Photo: X/President Biden

Successfully promoting cooperation and development between the two countries In September 2023, at the joint press conference when upgrading Vietnam-US relations to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong emphasized: "Promoting economic - trade - investment cooperation in the direction of innovation is the foundation". What do you think is the key for us to be able to quickly and firmly develop this foundation? I think the General Secretary is completely right. The declaration of upgrading relations is just words on paper if we do not actually take practical steps together. Therefore, we have been implementing step by step, since around September last year. What we have committed to each other is all substantial.

Real people, real events, not just words, these are the things that we in America have been doing with Vietnam every day, every month since the upgrade.

All for our future and our shared prosperity in the decades to come. This is a responsibility we take very seriously.

That includes the U.S. government working with the Vietnamese government to develop high-tech manufacturing. U.S. universities are working with Vietnam to train high-quality human resources. We have U.S. organizations, U.S. laboratories, and other organizations working together to ensure that Vietnam has the tools it needs to build a clean energy, high-income economy that is envisioned by 2045. Real people, real work, not just words, these are the things that we in the United States have been doing with Vietnam every day, every month since the upgrade. All for our future and our shared prosperity in the decades to come. This is a responsibility that we take very seriously. There are cases where there are frequent visits, there are joint statements, and there is great rhetoric. But then they are forgotten and they gather dust. But with the United States, we do not intend for that to happen. As the General Secretary said, we believe that Vietnam has no intention of letting that happen. We must successfully promote the cooperation and development of the two countries, because this is very meaningful to our future.

US Ambassador: "I think both sides need to have the vision and courage to recognize and seize the opportunities." Photo: M21

Sir, what is the lesson that you are most impressed with when looking back at the history of Vietnam-US relations over the past century? It would be easy for one side or the other to ask questions like: “What do we have in common?”, “What can we do together?”. But I think both sides need to have the vision and courage to recognize and seize opportunities. So I would say the lesson is: Don’t miss the opportunity to find partners, don’t miss the opportunity to find people with whom you can cooperate, when you have the same righteous flag, when you have the same goal. Because, sometimes these opportunities appear in ways and places that you may never expect. Like President Ho Chi Minh and the OSS forces once fought side by side.

Vietnamnet.vn

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/dai-su-my-chung-ta-da-muon-77-nam-khong-co-thoi-gian-de-hoi-tiec-2285085.html