(VOVWORLD) - The White House on Wednesday issued a statement on strengthening of the US-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership, saying the Vice President’s travel to Vietnam signifies the United States’ deep commitment not only to the region, but also to the US-Vietnam relationship.
 President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and US Vice President Kamala Harris, August 25, 2021. (Photo: Viet Cuong/VOV1)
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“Over the past several decades, the bilateral relationship between our countries has made significant strides, to the point where our nations now cooperate on a wide range of issues, including fighting COVID-19 and preparing for future health security threats, combatting climate change, and addressing shared legacies of war,” according to the statement.
“We have deepened our economic ties as Vietnam’s second largest trading partner and its top export market worldwide, and our support for one another is mutually reinforcing: a vibrant Vietnamese economy is critical to the supply chains Americans depend on, a point that COVID-19 has made clear when production shutdowns abroad have led to difficulties in shipping goods at home,” the White House said.
 Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and US Vice President Kamala Harris (Photo: Vu Khuyen/VOV) |
The already-robust and growing partnership between peoples has resulted in nearly 30,000 Vietnamese studying in the United States, contributing nearly 1 billion USD to the US economy, according to the statement.
During her visit to Vietnam, Vice President Harris reaffirmed the US commitment to a strong, prosperous, and independent Vietnam, as well a free, open, healthy, and resilient Indo-Pacific region, the White House said.