The twelve-country scheme included four South-east Asian countries, one of which was Vietnam, and was one aspect of former US President Barack Obama's direction of more US policy attention towards the Asia-Pacific. Vietnam had welcomed Obama's move, as it gained economic opportunities and US security support, useful in Hanoi's efforts to 'hedge' against China's assertiveness in the region. Yet with Trump in office and no guarantees of US-Vietnam ties contiuing the same trajectory, Hanoi may now face a foreign policy recalibration.
Vietnam will deepen trade and security ties with Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia and India especially.
Vietnamese popular dissatisfaction with Hanoi’s maritime dispute management could see fresh protests.
The Trump administration may put less pressure on Vietnam to improve human and labour rights.
