VINACHEM

Vietnam’s status as a BRICS partner will help the country diversify its international ties, enhance its political and diplomatic standing, and expand its influence to regions further such as South America, where both sides share huge economic potential that remains largely untapped.

Marcelo Ramírez, an Argentine expert on international relations made the statement in a recent media interview.

According to Ramírez, a contributor to Sputnik News as well as BRICS and Telesur television channels, this is a favorable moment for Vietnam to rebalance its international relationships. He emphasized the importance of Vietnam broadening its relations with other partners and diversifying its markets. Argentina, he suggested, could serve as a bridge to augment cooperation between South America and Southeast Asia.

On regional issues, including territorial disputes in the East Sea, Ramírez said that BRICS provides a multilateral platform for Vietnam and China to settle disagreements peacefully through dialogue.

The Argentine expert stressed that the rise of emerging economies such as Vietnam is inevitable. Once a low-income country, Vietnam has now entered the middle-income group with a strong growth rate. As such, the country deserves a greater voice in shaping new global governance frameworks. Ramírez argued that historically disadvantaged nations, particularly in the Global South, are increasingly asserting their roles on the international stage.

In this context, new financial, trade, and political institutions such as BRICS are playing a pivotal role by offering alternatives to traditional Western-led models.

Regarding global economic trends, he pointed out that the world is shifting away from pure free-market liberalism toward more selective protectionism that prioritizes key strategic sectors. This transition, he said, requires BRICS to adapt by developing new trade rules that better reflect the interests of developing countries.

Ramírez also highlighted the significance of Vietnam and Indonesia, two major ASEAN economies, joining BRICS as partner and member countries, respectively. He said their participation will help accelerate integration, harmonize standards and regulations between the two regions, and ensure that convergence takes place in a smooth and mutually beneficial manner.

He described the cooperation potential between South America and Southeast Asia as highly complementary. South America possesses abundant resources in natural minerals, food, water, and energy, while Southeast Asia, especially Vietnam, has strengths in technology and industrial production. Connecting the two regions, he said, would create major opportunities for bilateral development.

According to Ramírez, traditional markets such as the United States and the European Union are facing growing difficulties, including Europe’s ongoing energy crisis. In this context, South America should reduce its reliance on these markets and instead expand cooperation with emerging partners like Southeast Asia.  – Source: VNS