Pompeo’s Vietnam visit focuses on security and trade as US aims to bolster Indo-Pacific bulwark

US secretary of state holds talks with country’s leadership amid Washington’s push to contain Beijing in South China Sea

In addition to shoring up political ties, the US and Vietnam announced several trade and investment deals in the energy and food sectors

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Mike Pompeo with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in Hanoi on Friday. Photo: AFP

Published: 5:06pm, 30 Oct 2020Updated: 8:16pm, 31 Oct 2020

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo used his last stop in a five-country tour of Asia to rally support from a key Indo-Pacific ally just days ahead of the US presidential election.

Pompeo arrived in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi on Thursday for a two-day visit. On Friday, he held talks with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh and Public Security Minister To Lam.

But unlike his comments at the previous stops that included India and Indonesia, Pompeo did not lash out at China, instead urging Vietnam to play a greater role in the region.

“We look forward to continuing to work together to build on our relationship and to make the region — throughout Southeast Asia, Asia and the Indo-Pacific — safe and peaceful and prosperous,” Pompeo said before his meeting with Phuc, Reuters reported.

Phuc replied that he was looking for “sincere cooperation” in support of peaceful relations in the region.

A report on an online Vietnamese government news portal said the US committed to continuing stable relations and cooperation with Vietnam to further advance the bilateral ties so as to contribute to security, peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world. It also made no public mention of the issues in the South China Sea or of an American citizen who was released from Vietnamese prison on Friday.