Us-Vietnam Relations Essay, Research Paper

Since Clinton normalized relations in 1995, restoring full diplomatic ties between the United States and Vietnam, the two countries have been working towards a trade agreement for over four years. Finally July 13th of this year, the two finally signed a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) would open up Vietnam’s growing economy, and increase trade between the two former enemies.

In spite of much protest from such groups as human-rights monitors and POW/MIA interest groups, who argue that such trade agreements will eliminate the pressure on Vietnam to improve human rights abuse, and POW/MIA accountability, the Clinton administration views the agreement as one that “has great potential benefits for both countries” (Landler). Supporters of the agreement assert that the relationship would not only increase trade with Vietnam, but would also support “important foreign policy goals of the United States including POW/MIA accounting, freedom of emigration, human rights, [and] regional stability . . .” (Peterson). Countering the criticism that trade relations with Communist Vietnam conflicts with human rights policies, supporters argue that, isolation would hinder progress regarding human rights concern and POW/MIA accountability, while engagement would “encourage openness”. Engagement will allow Vietnam to nurture and develop U.S’s ideals for democracy, religious freedom, and basic human and labor rights. They assert that overtime, Vietnam’s contact with the outside world will “move closer to international standards and values relative to human rights” (Peterson). “Democracy is contagious,” says US Representative Silvestre Reyes (D.Texas). “ There is no better way to spread Democracy than through engagement” (CNNfyi.com).

Advocates of the trade agreement also argue that trade with Vietnam will increase regional stability. With China’s increasing influence in the region, U.S presence is as important as ever. Now a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Defense Secretary William Cohen states that “it’s important to have a relationship with Vietnam, just as with other members of ASEAN” (DefenseLink). Cohen also advocates extensive military-to-military relations. Not only would such relations allow US presence in Vietnam to conduct searches for missing POW/MIAs, but as a long term national security interest:

Vietnam could become the Turkey of the Far East to the United States. Throughout the Cold War, Turkey was a crucial listening and watching post [to investigate Soviet missile tests] . . .. US intelligence chiefs would love to have radar on Vietnam’s mountains peering into China (Wilson).

A huge, untapped market and millions of diligent, skilled, low-wage Vietnamese workers are also of great interest to US companies. If it receives congressional approval, the Bilateral Trade Agreement, would give American companies “opportunities to build relations that have never before existed in the history of U.S.-Vietnam relations” (Hauser). Under the agreement, Vietnam must cut tariffs on U.S.-manufactured goods and farm products, and it must provide greater protection for U.S. investors and intellectual property. Vietnam must also allow foreign companies to operate in areas such as telecommunications, insurance, and banking, which are presently closed to foreign investors.

Finally, for those with emotional ties to the Vietnam War, such as Senator John McCain and Senator John Kerry, relations with Vietnam will serve as another great step towards reconciliation. For them, the agreement is “another step in leaving behind the shadow of the war” (CNNfyi.com). With the support of most of the Vietnam War veterans in Congress, President Clinton states that the agreement is “one more reminder that former adversaries can come together to find common ground in a way that benefits al their people, to let go of the past and embrace the future, to forgive and reconcile” (CNNfyi.com).

Bibliography

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Hauser, Timothy. “Prelude to New Directions in U.S.-Vietnam Relations: The 2000

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States and Vietnam. Http://www.house.gov.international_relations/ap/.

September 19, 2000. Accessed September 28, 2000.

Landler, Mark. “Washington Expects Delay in Vietnam Trade Deal”. The New York

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Peterson, Douglass. “Hearing on US-Vietnam Trade Relations” Committee on Ways and

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