US-Vietnam diplomatic ties to deepen in 2015

Subject

The outlook for US-Vietnam diplomacy in 2015.

Significance

The United States and Vietnam signed on February 2 a memorandum of understanding on cooperating in disaster relief -- the latest iteration of deepening security ties. Meanwhile, 2015 marks the 20th anniversary of normalisation of US-Vietnam diplomatic relations. Since then, bilateral economic and trade relations have expanded rapidly. Security relations have been more sensitive, and slower to form. Nonetheless, the momentum in security cooperation is accelerating and, although facing constraints on both sides, this trend will continue in 2015.

Impacts

• The emerging US-Vietnam security relationship will be defined on a case-by-case basis.
• Vietnam's coast guard will increasingly be a channel for forging bilateral security ties.
• Vietnam's TPP participation could form a test case for US trade agreements with developing countries.