US Deputy Secretary of State is about to visit Vietnam

During the Asia tour starting June 5, Deputy Foreign Minister US Wendy Sherman will meet with officials in South Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam and Laos, the US State Department announced June 3. Washington’s 2nd senior diplomat’s trip lasts until 14.6

“The Deputy Secretary’s visit to the region reflects the United States’ continued commitment to the Indo-Pacific and following the Special Summit of the United States-ASEAN last month,” the State Department said in a statement. , President Biden’s visits to South Korea and Japan, the Quad Leaders Summit in Tokyo and the launch of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework”.

During the nine-day trip, the US Deputy Secretary of State will visit Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City while stopping in Vietnam with meetings focusing on trade and economic issues.

According to the US State Department, in Ho Chi Minh City, Deputy Minister Sherman will meet Secretary of the City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen and speak at Fulbright University Vietnam.

In Hanoi, the senior US diplomat will meet Vietnamese officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc “to highlight the strong of US-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership and America’s support for an independent, strong, and prosperous Vietnam”.

Sherman is also expected to announce that the US will further assist Vietnam in surveying and clearing unexploded ordnance, demonstrating the US’s continued commitment to overcoming war consequences.

In addition, the US Deputy Secretary of State will discuss supply chain resilience with private sector representatives. She will also join with Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan to launch the USAID project to combat wildlife trafficking in Vietnam.