Strategic ties upgrade in Hanoi
Donald Tusk and Le Minh Hung upgraded ties to a strategic partnership in Hanoi on Monday. This visit marks the first time a Polish prime minister has traveled to Vietnam in 16 years. The two leaders pledged to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, security, defence, education, science, technology, and cultural exchanges. I see the logic in Tusk’s observation that Vietnam achieved middle-income status within a single generation, while Poland recently joined the ranks of the world’s 20 largest economies. Although Poland fell narrowly short of entering that group last year, it should soon overtake Switzerland for the 20th spot. Tusk remarked that many people say "Poland is the Vietnam of Europe and Vietnam is the Poland of Asia." Tusk’s trip to Vietnam follows a period of intense Polish diplomacy in Asia that includes a trip to India and President Karol Nawrocki’s visit to the Philippines earlier this month to secure backing for G20 membership. Hung noted that Vietnam remembers and is grateful for Polish support during the struggle for independence and national reunification. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1950, and both leaders noted the large Vietnamese community in Poland, which dates back to students arriving around that time. Last year, Hung’s predecessor, Pham Minh Chinh, became the first Vietnamese prime minister in 15 years to visit Poland.
Defense deals and trade targets
The new agreement includes commitments to maintain regular high-level contacts and reduce non-tariff trade barriers. Konrad Golota, Poland’s deputy minister for state assets, told the Polish Press Agency that negotiations are already underway for Vietnam to buy Polish Krab howitzers and Rosomak armoured fighting vehicles. Tusk said Warsaw’s priority remains a better balance in trade because of the current trade deficit. I find the sector interests clear: the arms industry, satellite and space cooperation, pharmaceuticals, and food, especially dairy products. The partnership also covers education and transport, as Tusk announced that annual Polish-Vietnamese student exchanges will rise by 250%, and LOT will resume direct Warsaw-Hanoi flights in the first quarter of 2027. I find the diplomatic reality regarding Russia’s war in Ukraine a point of tension because Vietnam has avoided condemning the Russian invasion. Tusk acknowledged these differences but said that, "because of their history, wartime experience and international relations, both Vietnam and Poland can contribute a great deal to the peace process." This follows Tusk’s trip to India, where he and Narendra Modi announced a goal to double bilateral trade by 2030. Tusk also visited South Korea in April to deepen a strategic partnership with Japan and upgrade relations with South Korea, which he described as Poland’s "most important ally after the United States." He also plans to visit China before the end of the year.
