Policy Related Pieces by Hanh Nguyen
Issues & Insights Vol. 23, WP4, 2023
Long criticized for its lackluster record in economic engagement with Southeast Asia, the US is n... more Long criticized for its lackluster record in economic engagement with Southeast Asia, the US is now looking to bolster digital economy cooperation with the region as part of its Indo-Pacific strategy. Both sides have already engaged in several cooperation initiatives to strengthen Southeast Asia’s digital capacities. These actions/engagements aim to help the region capture the immense benefit and respond to potential socio-economic disruptions brought by the digital economic boom. However, US-ASEAN cooperation will have to deal with two challenges. First, China has already established a comprehensive and prevalent presence in the region’s digital economy, from hard infrastructure and customer-facing businesses to developing digital standards. Second, Southeast Asia’s diversity in economic development leads to varied capacities among its members. These attributes carry certain security complications for Southeast Asia and the US in the long run. Addressing them will require both sides to further boost cooperation, particularly in shaping regional digital standards.
Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs, 2023
This article offers an overview of the history of US-Vietnam trade relations, focusing on the mos... more This article offers an overview of the history of US-Vietnam trade relations, focusing on the most contentious issue, Vietnam's trade surplus with the United States. Since the normalization of bilateral relations in 1995, trade has become the fastest-growing and most critical aspect of the relationship. The article explains how Vietnam became a major supplier of goods to the United States, while many US companies gained a foothold in Vietnam's market. However, Vietnam's growing trade surplus with the United States is a cause for concern. The article examines the reasons for this surplus, including the compatibility between each country's trade structure and Vietnam's export-led growth model, and explores the potential impact of a protectionist turn in US international trade policy. Overall, the article provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of US-Vietnam trade.
Stosunki Międzynarodowe – International Relations, 2023
Russia’s unprovoked attack against Ukraine entails significant implications to Japan’s security a... more Russia’s unprovoked attack against Ukraine entails significant implications to Japan’s security and its surrounding environment. How is Japan responding to Russia’s use of force? What are the drivers of its responses? This case study examines official speeches by Japanese leaders and government senior officials, government announcements, opinion polls, and analyses by Japan experts to understand Tokyo’s perceptions and responses to Moscow’s military attack against Kiev.
Seen from Tokyo, the invasion of Ukraine is not only an attack against the rules-based international order but also a manifestation of Japan’s security concerns regarding China’s growing military capabilities and closer Russia-China alignment, especially the potential use of military force to change the Indo-Pacific region’s power balance. This article also finds that Tokyo’s response to Russia-China alignment and the Ukraine invasion continues to be wedded to an approach is characterized by a mixture of engagement, resilience, and deterrence, aiming at both Russia and the growing Russia-China alignment.
The Diplomat, 2022
In this article, I analyzed the change in US trade policy from trade facilitation to trade-rules ... more In this article, I analyzed the change in US trade policy from trade facilitation to trade-rules enforcement as the main reason for US reluctance to economic engagement in the Indo-Pacific
ISEAS Perspective, 2021
Japan’s maritime capacity-building assistance for Vietnam, which includes training seminars, join... more Japan’s maritime capacity-building assistance for Vietnam, which includes training seminars, joint exercises and equipment transfer, has become a prominent feature in bilateral cooperation. The cooperation is driven by their increasingly convergent strategic interests, including preserving the safety of maritime trade routes and countering China’s increasing assertiveness in territorial and maritime disputes.
MacDonald-Laurier Institute, 2021
How Canada can engage with the Indo-Pacific concept in the realm of 5G technology and digital eco... more How Canada can engage with the Indo-Pacific concept in the realm of 5G technology and digital economy.
Pacific Forum Issues & Insights, 2021
I suggest that Washington and Hanoi should focus on strengthening ASEAN’s strategic autonomy. Doi... more I suggest that Washington and Hanoi should focus on strengthening ASEAN’s strategic autonomy. Doing so would help address regional challenges while also providing a more principled rationale for continued U.S. presence, engagements, and leadership in Southeast Asia, beyond merely countering China’s illegal and disruptive behavior.
Geopolitical Monitor, 2021
After a period of relative stability, Southeast Asia has recently undergone another surge of COVI... more After a period of relative stability, Southeast Asia has recently undergone another surge of COVID outbreaks.
The Interpreter - Lowy Institute, 2021
The Interpreter-Lowy Institute The two countries see the region from different vantage points. Bu... more The Interpreter-Lowy Institute The two countries see the region from different vantage points. But the prospects for cooperation are growing.
Canadian Global Affairs Institute, 2020
9Dashline, 2020
Under the Trump administration, simmering US-China tensions have transitioned into a full-blown t... more Under the Trump administration, simmering US-China tensions have transitioned into a full-blown trade war and a cross-spectrum competition spanning numerous sectors. In addition to the tit-for-tat trade war, since 2018, the strategic competition has now spilt over into technology. The Trump administration seems determined to hobble China's ambition to become a technological hegemon through sanctions against Chinese tech giants like Huawei, ZTE and Hikvision. The COVID-19 pandemic has seen Sino-American tensions enter a more unpredictable and dangerous phase. Both countries have engaged in a blame game and antagonistic rhetoric toward each other. These tensions have sparked a vigorous debate about a new Cold War and the possibility of economic and technological decoupling between the two superpowers, which are closely and intricately entangled. Rising Sino-American tensions Washington's grievances against China can be traced back to its engagement 9DASHLINE
Geopolitical Monitor, 2020
9DashLine, 2020
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the normalisation of bilateral relations between Vietnam ... more This year marks the 25th anniversary of the normalisation of bilateral relations between Vietnam and the US. Forty-five
PacNet #41 Pacific Forum, 2020
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Policy Related Pieces by Hanh Nguyen
Seen from Tokyo, the invasion of Ukraine is not only an attack against the rules-based international order but also a manifestation of Japan’s security concerns regarding China’s growing military capabilities and closer Russia-China alignment, especially the potential use of military force to change the Indo-Pacific region’s power balance. This article also finds that Tokyo’s response to Russia-China alignment and the Ukraine invasion continues to be wedded to an approach is characterized by a mixture of engagement, resilience, and deterrence, aiming at both Russia and the growing Russia-China alignment.
Seen from Tokyo, the invasion of Ukraine is not only an attack against the rules-based international order but also a manifestation of Japan’s security concerns regarding China’s growing military capabilities and closer Russia-China alignment, especially the potential use of military force to change the Indo-Pacific region’s power balance. This article also finds that Tokyo’s response to Russia-China alignment and the Ukraine invasion continues to be wedded to an approach is characterized by a mixture of engagement, resilience, and deterrence, aiming at both Russia and the growing Russia-China alignment.