West OC Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. – With increasing human rights violations and tightening Communist control over the national economy, Rep. Michelle Steel is calling on the Biden Administration to block Vietnam’s request to be classified as a market economy by the U.S. government.

Vietnam formally requested that the U.S. remove the nation’s designation as a “nonmarket economy” last September on the eve of a visit by President Biden. The Department of Commerce is nearing the end of its 270-day deadline to provide a review and decision.

In a letter to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo expressing opposition to the potential action, Steel highlighted Communist Vietnam’s poor human rights record and currency manipulation, as well as the large economic role played by Vietnam’s state-owned enterprises.

“Vietnam’s human rights record is abysmal. Their assaults on fundamental freedoms are unacceptable and should not be rewarded with an upgrade in economic status,” said Steel. “Additionally, there is strong evidence that Vietnam’s Communist government still has strong control over its economy and should not qualify as a market economy. I strongly urge the Biden Administration to stand strong against Communist bad actors and block Vietnam’s request.”

Steel represents a large population of Vietnamese Americans in the Little Saigon community of Orange County.

You can view Steel’s letter to Secretary Raimondo here.

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