In Historic Move, US Lifts Embargo on Arms Sales to Vietnam

US President Barack Obama’s visit to Vietnam, and lifting an arms embargo, underscores growing cooperation between the two countries that were at war just over four decades ago. David Nakamura reports for the Washington Post: “Obama said the latest step ‘was not based on China or any other considerations. It was based on our desire to complete what has been a lengthy process of moving towards normalization with Vietnam.’” Both countries admit to sharing concerns about broad claims by China for the South China Sea despite long stretches of coastline for Vietnam as well as the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. Weapons sales will be on a case-by-case basis and require progress on human rights. Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang expects differences on human rights to narrow as the bilateral relationship strengthens through exchanges on security and trade like the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership still being reviewed by US Congress. – YaleGlobal