On the afternoon of September 25, General Secretary cum State President To Lam and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, after concluding activities at the United Nations General Assembly, left New York to begin a state visit to Cuba.
During his stay in the US, Lam was quite busy with work that some observers considered impressive. They commented: “It seems that the leader of the Party and State of Vietnam is quite dynamic and open-minded.”
The event of US President Joe Biden meeting General Secretary To Lam on September 25 was considered the focus of public opinion at home and abroad. International observers assessed that this meeting was “very important” in helping Lam consolidate power after becoming the head of the Party and State in early August 2024.
Immediately after this meeting ended, the results of the meeting were assessed by the international media as “very warm” and the two sides pledged to further promote cooperation.
At the meeting between President Biden and General Secretary Lam, a key issue raised by the Vietnamese leader was that he suggested that the US side soon remove Hanoi from the list of non-market economies and lift trade restrictions. However, that issue is under the authority of the US Department of Commerce, President Biden cannot intervene.
Before this meeting, the handshake between Vietnamese President Lam and Ukrainian President Zelensky was assessed as carefully calculated by Vietnam, and at the same time an important issue.
Since the beginning of the Ukraine war, the Vietnamese state has always had a stance, as well as actions supporting Russia and Putin. It is very likely that the Communist Party of Vietnam will once again be in turmoil over the above-mentioned event. The pro-Russia and pro-China conservative faction in the Party will “boil” again, and will “settle the score” with Lam.
During the meeting with General Secretary To Lam, when talking about the achievements in the past year between the two countries, President Biden said: “We have launched unprecedented cooperation, together uniting to build a more open and secure Indian Ocean.”
President Biden hinted at maritime disputes with China in the South China Sea.
Seemingly to justify that Vietnam is not leaning towards the United States, General Secretary Lam responded to President Biden:
“Vietnam will continue to firmly implement its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization, diversification, being a friend, a reliable partner, and being responsible in the international community.”
According to US officials, “The two leaders acknowledged the fact that Vietnam is in a complex region,” and also said that Hanoi “must be very cautious and strategic in its approach to the region.”
Commenting on the calculations and true purpose of General Secretary cum State President Lam during his visit to the United States, insiders said that he is in need of consolidating his power. He must show the people in the country that he has the ability and dynamism in diplomacy, while still maintaining a balance in relations between major powers such as China, the United States and Russia.
The above-mentioned foreign handshake has brought a big plus point to General Secretary Lam. However, on the contrary, it will certainly be a minus point for Moscow and Beijing. However, domestically, this will be the next blow from General Secretary Lam to the conservative faction and opposition elements within the party.
Therefore, many opinions say that in order to make the opposition faction in the party reconcile, General Secretary Lam must not back down, and at the same time, will have to make stronger moves in the near future.
Tra My – Thoibao.de
