Biden heads to Vietnam – an attempt to improve relations with China’s neighbor raises concerns in Beijing

Biden heads to Vietnam an attempt to improve relations

During his presidency, Joe Biden has revived old partnerships in Asia and created new ones. China accuses the United States of fomenting a new Cold War.

President of the United States Joe Biden will visit Vietnam on Sunday and meet the general secretary of the country’s Communist Party by Nguyen Phu Trong.

According to the White House, statesmen are supposed to discuss, among other things, trade between countries, climate change and regional stability.

One of the reasons for Biden’s visit is undoubtedly China, whose influence in Asia and the Pacific region is growing. In China’s leadership, it is believed that in order to prevent this development, the United States has begun to inflame the closest relations with several countries in the region.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry commented on Monday that the United States should not involve “third parties” in its Asian policy.

– The United States should abandon the Cold War zero-sum game mentality. The United States should abide by the basic rules of international relations and not target third parties or undermine regional peace, stability and economic development, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning commented according to the Reuters news agency.

In Vietnam, Biden’s visit has raised concerns about Beijing’s reaction.

According to Reuters, Vietnam’s leadership has discussed a possible balancing meeting with China’s leadership shortly after Biden’s visit.

Biden’s old recipe

President Biden’s visit to Vietnam is the latest twist in US Asia policy, which in recent years has been marked by the strengthening of old and new partnerships.

Biden has kept many of his predecessors unchanged Donald Trump’s Trade tariffs aimed at China, and in that respect has continued a foreign policy that openly challenges Beijing.

However, unlike his predecessor, Biden has emphasized partnerships between different countries and put America first rhetoric on the back burner.

During Biden’s term, the United States has, for example, revived the Quad group of countries established in 2007, which includes Australia, Japan and India in addition to the United States. After many years of silence, the group now regularly holds “strategic” discussions about security policy.

In autumn 2021, the Biden administration also concluded the Aukus agreement between Australia and Britain. With the agreement, Australia will be able to acquire a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines.

Biden has also sought to improve relations between his allies Japan and South Korea. In August, Biden hosted a meeting of the leaders of the countries in the United States.

Source: Reuters

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