About this Video

• Video Title: Viet Thanh Nguyen on 50 Years After Vietnam War, Trump’s “Ugly American” Politics, & More
• Channel: Democracy Now!
• Speakers: Amy Goodman, Juan Gonzalez, Viet Thanh Nguyen
• Duration: 00:12:25

Introduction

This Democracy Now! interview with Viet Thanh Nguyen, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, reflects on the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War's end. The discussion centers on the "wrong lessons" learned by US presidents regarding Vietnam, Trump's foreign policy toward Vietnam, and the broader history of US immigration policies.

Key Takeaways

• The US consistently failed to recognize Vietnamese self-determination: From Woodrow Wilson's refusal to acknowledge Ho Chi Minh's pleas for independence to later interventions, the US meddled in Vietnamese affairs, ultimately leading to a devastating war and millions of deaths. Had the US not intervened, the outcome might have been similar economically, but without the immense loss of life.
• Trump's "ugly American" approach to foreign policy: Unlike previous presidents who used soft power, Trump employed hard power tactics, including trade wars and refusing to participate in commemorations of the war's end, straining relations with Vietnam.
• Strategic differences in US relations with Vietnam and Cuba: The US prioritizes its relationship with Vietnam due to its strategic location and rivalry with China, leading to more engagement despite past conflicts. Cuba, lacking this geopolitical significance, remains isolated.
• The cyclical nature of anti-immigrant sentiment in the US: Nguyen connects the current anti-immigrant climate to historical patterns of fear-mongering and the creation of "others," tracing this back to the Chinese Exclusion Act of the 19th century.
• The legacy of the Vietnam War: The Vietnam War's impact continues to ripple through US foreign policy and immigration attitudes, shaping current events and international relationships.