Nguyen Khac Giang

Nguyen Khac Giang

Visiting Fellow, Vietnam Studies Programme, ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute

Dr Nguyen Khac Giang is a visiting fellow at the Vietnam Studies Programme of the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. He was previously a research fellow at the Vietnam Center for Economic and Strategic Studies.

US President Joe Biden (second from left) makes a toast with Vietnam's President Vo Van Thuong (second from right) during a State luncheon at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on 11 September 2023. (Nhac Nguyen/AFP)

Stronger US-Vietnam economic ties could also trigger China

The historic upgrade in Vietnam-US relations has more to do with economics than defence and security. The recent visit by US President Joe Biden was an opportunity for both sides to strengthen cooperation in areas such as high-tech manufacturing, including semiconductor production. This is part of the US's "de-risking" strategy in dealing with China.