U.S., Vietnam warn against 'threat or use of force' in South China Sea

U.S. & Vietnam warn against "threat or use of force" in South China Sea, call for peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law. Biden and Trong strike deal to deepen cooperation, countering China's growing assertiveness in region.

The United States and Vietnam warned on Monday against the "threat or use of force" in the disputed South China Sea, days after the latest clash involving Chinese vessels.

U.S. President Joe Biden and Vietnam's Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong said the competing claims on the strategic waterway must be settled under international norms.

Beijing claims almost the entire sea, through which trillions of dollars in trade passes annually, and has ignored an international court ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.

"The leaders underscored their unwavering support for the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, without the threat or use of force," Mr. Biden and Mr. Trong said in a joint statement.

They also called for "freedom of navigation and overflight and unimpeded lawful commerce in the South China Sea".

The statement came a day after Mr. Biden and Mr. Trong struck a deal to deepen cooperation, widely seen as a way to counter China's growing assertiveness in the region.

Washington is at loggerheads with Beijing on a range of issues including trade, security, human rights and climate change and is looking to boost its network of allies to counter Chinese influence.