# US-Vietnam Relations: A Comparative Analysis of Trump and Biden Eras

- Link: https://www.thailand-business-news.com/trade/161669-us-vietnam-relations-a-comparative-analysis-of-trump-and-biden-eras
- Published: 2024-11-25T07:47:00+07:00
- Author: ASEAN Briefing

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## Key Takeaways

The outcome of the 2024 US presidential election will significantly impact US-Vietnam
trade, investment, and defense relations, depending on whether it’s a second Trump
term or a Harris presidency.

Under a second Trump term, businesses should prepare for the potential introduction
of new tariffs and decreased opportunities for comprehensive trade deals, while 
a Harris presidency is likely to focus on enhancing trade relations and collaboration
in emerging technologies and clean energy.

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US-Vietnam diplomatic and defense relations are expected to continue developing,
with potential challenges in navigating defense relationships with both the US and
Russia, and the need to address geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea.

As Harris has served as Vice President under the Biden administration, her foreign
policy will not stray far from President Biden’s, including her stance on relations
with Vietnam. As such, the trajectory of Vietnam-US relations under a potential 
Harris presidency will not be drastically different from that under a second Biden
term. Nonetheless, her potential accession to the highest office will open up new
questions and possibilities for the relationship. Vietnam Briefing will continue
to monitor events in the US presidential race and provide updated analysis of the
potential impact on bilateral relations.

With both candidates having played a role in the two previous administrations, we
have unique insight into how a second term for either candidate could shape the 
course of future US-Vietnam relations. We look at how US-Vietnam relations developed
under the respective Trump and Biden-Harris administrations and discuss how the 
different outcomes of the 2024 US presidential election could shape future trade,
investment, diplomacy, and defense cooperation.

## Trade and investment relations: Trump and Biden report card

### Trade relations under Trump

During his term in office, Trump reversed much of the progress on US-Vietnam trade
relations made by his predecessor.

One such move was his decision in 2017 to pull out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership(
TPP) agreement negotiations, a key policy position of the previous Obama administration.
The TPP, which consisted of 12 Pacific countries, including the US and Vietnam, 
would have helped to expand bilateral trade significantly by removing technical 
barriers to trade and reducing tariffs.

Trump’s decision to pull out of the TPP had ramifications that last until today.
The TPP eventually evolved into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for 
Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) without the US’s involvement, in the process decreasing
the total GDP of members to US$10.1 trillion (without the US) from a potential US
$28.7 trillion (with the US).

Moreover, by withdrawing from the negotiations (as well as other actions against
free trade), Trump cemented an anti-globalist and anti-free trade sentiment within
the US Congress, which has made it difficult for subsequent administrations to consider
joining. Despite widespread support for the US’s accession by current members, the
Biden administration has refrained from reentering negotiations, instead pursuing
its own Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF).

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**Read the original article :** [US-Vietnam Relations Under Trump Versus Biden ](https://www.vietnam-briefing.com/news/trump-v-biden-us-vietnam-relations.html/?rand=160085)
