President Joe Biden is set to sign a strategic partnership agreement with Vietnam during his state visit to the country in September. Vietnam ranks as the United States’ tenth-largest trading partner, with the U.S. being its top export market since 2002.

Straight Arrow News contributor Peter Zeihan is bullish on Vietnam. He explains why this Southeast Asian nation, despite its non-democratic government, remains a crucial trade ally for the U.S.

Excerpted from Peter’s Aug. 22 “Zeihan on Geopolitics” newsletter.

Biden recently announced that he’d be making a trip to Vietnam, which will likely occur in September when he visits other regional powers. But what makes Vietnam such a valuable asset to have in the US portfolio of allies?

Is it because they’re a major regional power? Or because they have a better demographic profile than others in the region? Sure, that factors into it, but it really comes down to positioning and attitude.

Due to geographic challenges, the integration process (and political unification) following the Vietnam War has been an ongoing endeavor. While there’s no brushing past the ‘history’ that Vietnam and the US share, that pales in comparison to their history with the Chinese. If there’s one thing all the Vietnamese can agree on…it’s that they hate China.

But let’s not forget that the Vietnamese bring more to the table than just a desire to crush the Chinese. They would be a solid trade partner with strong demographics, a sound education system, and excellent relations with other regional allies. Sounds like a damn good deal for the US. The only sticking point is the Chinese-style political system that still exists in Vietnam…