US-Vietnam Relations Set to Strengthen, Raising Concerns for China

The United States is expected to upgrade its diplomatic relations with Vietnam to the top level during President Joe Biden's upcoming visit to Hanoi, a move that may provoke China. Vietnam initially expressed caution about the upgrade due to concerns about China's reaction, but the Biden administration has made efforts to persuade the country. The upgrade is expected to boost economic cooperation, including potential announcements from companies like Boeing and AES. The U.S. is already Vietnam's largest export market, and trade procedures could be eased to further enhance trade.