A package could include U.S. F-16 fighter jets and come with special financing terms that could help Hanoi, which is facing tensions with Beijing in the South China Sea, steer away from its reliance on lower-cost Russian-made arms.

Vietnam is also actively in talks with Moscow over a new arms supply deal that could trigger U.S. sanctions, Reuters has reported.

  • alvvayson@lemmy.world
    275·
    1 year ago

    I think the saying in Vietnam is: they fought against the Americans for two decades, the French for two centuries and the Chinese for two millenia.

    They definitely prefer to be allies with the West to protect against China.

    • cmbabul@lemmy.world
      71·
      1 year ago

      Yep it’s actually mutually beneficial, granted that doesn’t always last for allies of the US, but I doubt we want any of that smoke a second time

    • cecinestpasunbot@lemmy.mlEnglish
      5·
      1 year ago

      I think in this scenario it actually makes sense for Vietnam to play both sides. China has been investing a ton of money into Vietnam in recent years. I’m sure the Vietnamese would like that to continue. Vietnam would also benefit from promoting itself as an alternative manufacturing base for US capital fleeing China. If they can avoid antagonizing either side in this conflict, they’ll end up being the real winners.