Macron Vows Closer Defense, Energy Ties in Visit to Vietnam

French President Emmanuel Macron vowed closer cooperation on defense, transport and nuclear energy after talks with Vietnam’s leaders as he kicked off a tour of Southeast Asia aimed at shoring up alliances in the region.

In a joint briefing with Vietnam’s president in Hanoi, Macron said framework agreements were signed on several defense projects, also pledging French support for sectors including space, high-speed rail construction and civilian nuclear power. The countries agreed to “work closely to maintain and strengthen free trade and further open markets for each other,” Vietnamese President Luong Cuong said.