U.S. Under Secretary of State Jose W. Fernandez has told a press briefing that politics will not be a factor in the Department of Commerce’s review of Vietnam’s status, The Investor is reporting.
This is after a letter from several prominent US Senators, including former presidential hopefuls Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, was made public in which it was argued that Vietnam did not meet the requirements to be redesignated a market economy.
Furthermore, the letter also seems to suggest that they senators are concerned the review could be politicised.
“Commerce must conduct an object and holistic review of Vietnam’s nonmarket economy status based on data and evidence, not politics,” it says.
See also: Senators Warren, Sanders reject removing Vietnam’s non-market economy tag