The Biden administration is currently holding negotiations with Vietnam regarding the largest weapons transfer agreement ever between the two former Cold War rivals, two people familiar with the matter informed. This arrangement could annoy China and put Russia on the sidelines.
The package, which is estimated to be reached in the next year, is intended to solidify the newer relationship between the US and Hanoi, with the sale of a U.S. squadron of F-16 fighter planes, due to tensions between Hanoi and Beijing in the South China Sea. The exact information for this exchange is still uncertain and may not happen, yet it was a major conversation piece over the last month during conversations in Hanoi, Washington and New York.
Also, the White House is exploring distinctive financing clauses that could potentially spare the Vietnamese money while allowing them to move away from Russian arms bargains. Neither spokespersons for the US nor Vietnam responded after requests for a comment.
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