WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says that despite differences between the United States and Vietnam over “political philosophy,” the two countries are deepening cooperation on health, climate and other issues.
Obama is speaking in the Oval Office following a meeting with the head of Vietnam’s Communist Party. Nguyen Phu Trong is the de facto leader of Vietnam despite holding no official government post.
The president says he and Trong had candid discussions on issues of human rights and religious freedom. Obama said he is confident the two countries can continue to improve their relationship and noted Trong’s invitation for him to visit Vietnam.
Following the White House meeting, Vice President Joe Biden is hosting Trong for a lunch at the State Department.
