Japan and Vietnam forge stronger ties in tech and defence
Japan and Vietnam have agreed to strengthen their cooperation in key sectors, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and defence, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced after a meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh in Hanoi.
Ishiba has committed to accepting approximately 250 Vietnamese doctoral students specializing in semiconductor technology to support the development of this sector in Vietnam.
Additionally, the leaders have agreed to establish a dialogue forum at the level of deputy foreign and defence ministers in a 2+2 format to enhance strategic communication and cooperation in defence equipment and technology.
Cooperation will also involve projects related to energy transformation, including offshore wind farms.
Free trade. Vietnam "a key partner" for Japan
Ishiba emphasized that Japan views Vietnam as a "key partner" in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law. The parties also expressed concern about the situation in the East China Sea and the South China Sea.
The meeting took place amidst global economic uncertainty and trade tensions between the USA and China. Ishiba assured that, in response to American tariffs, Japan is attentive to the concerns of Japanese companies operating in Vietnam.
According to the initial plans of U.S. President Donald Trump, products imported from Japan are supposed to be subject to a 24% tariff, while those from Vietnam would face a 46% tariff.
The Japanese Prime Minister arrived in Vietnam just two weeks after the visit of Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who urged authorities in Hanoi to resist "bullying" and maintain the stability of the global free trade system.
