A government-run Vietnamese website says U.S. President Donald Trump sent a letter to President Tran Dai Quang wishing “to promote cooperation on economics, trade, regional and international issues.” The Vietnamese president mentioned Trump’s letter during a meeting with Ted Osius, the U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam. But there has been no U.S. comment on the matter. Experts on U.S.-Vietnam relations say Vietnam officials were worried that, under Trump, the U.S. would reduce support for the Southeast Asian nation. The letter eased Vietnam’s concerns. But they do not expect any immediate action. Vietnam was expected to be one of the countries to benefit from the Trans-Pacific Partnership. But Trump pulled the U.S. out of the trade agreement after he took office in January.
