To Lam tells Biden Vietnam a ‘friend’ as Hanoi seeks to balance US-China ties

US President Joe Biden met Vietnam’s President To Lam for talks on Wednesday, aiming to deepen relations with the Southeast Asian country and manufacturing hub and counter its ties with China and Russia.

Biden and Lam, the ruling Communist Party chief making his first visit to the US as president, met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. A senior US official said they discussed how to accelerate a strategic partnership agreed last year.

On meeting Biden on Wednesday, Lam hailed what he called Biden’s historic contribution to elevating bilateral relations.

Biden said that since beginning a new era in relations last year, the two countries had made significant investments in semiconductors and supply chains and launched unprecedented cooperation on cybersecurity.

He also said they stood united in commitments to freedom of navigation and the rule of law – a reference to regional maritime disputes with China.