From former foes to friends: strategic adjustment in America’s security policy toward Vietnam and the influence of the China factor

Abstract

Relations between the United States and Vietnam have evolved rapidly since their bilateral ties were restored in 1995. One of the factors drawing two former foes closer together is assumed to be their shared concerns over China’s rise, particularly China’s growing aggressiveness in the South China Sea, where the US and Vietnam both have fundamental interests. This article investigates the US’s policy toward Vietnam in terms of security dimension and assesses the extent to which the China factor can influence the pace and scope of cooperation between the two countries. In this article, the US’s strengthening its security and defence cooperation with Vietnam these years is labelled as strategic adjustment. This article argues that the US’s strategic adjustment toward Vietnam is largely driven by the China factor. The US’s positive or negative views of China dictate whether Washington chooses to either stay neutral or lend support to Hanoi amid Vietnam-China tensions.