Khang Vu

Khang Vu, a Vietnamese political scientist and visiting scholar at Boston College, dismantles the notion that Vietnam will join a U.S. coalition against China. He highlights Vietnam’s preference for national security over economic ties with the U.S., amid ongoing trade negotiations and tariffs. The discussion emphasizes Vietnam's diplomatic balancing act, its historical mistrust of China, and exciting shifts in its global relations with countries like Russia, India, Japan, and South Korea, showcasing a more independent foreign policy approach.

Khang Vu, a visiting scholar at Boston College and expert on Vietnamese politics, discusses contrasting strategies of Vietnam and the Philippines in dealing with China’s territorial claims. While the Philippines seeks U.S. support, Vietnam opts for a solo approach, even expanding its presence in the South China Sea through island reclamation. Vu highlights how these tactics reflect broader lessons on managing great power rivalries, emphasizing the complexities smaller nations face in navigating geopolitical dynamics.