MEETINGS Biden to meet with Vietnamese president on Wednesday

(Patria) - U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to meet with Vietnam's president and head of the ruling Communist Party, To Lam, on Wednesday, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The meeting is expected to take place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The White House had no comment. A spokesman for Vietnam's foreign ministry earlier did not say whether Lam would meet with Biden during the trip.

Biden has sought to deepen ties with the strategic Southeast Asian country and manufacturing hub in an effort to counter Russia and China, with which Vietnam has strong ties. Last September, Biden visited Vietnam and secured semiconductor and mineral deals and an upgrade to the highest diplomatic status with Hanoi, alongside China and Russia.

On his first trip to the U.S. since being appointed party chief, the most powerful body in the country, in early August, Lam will speak at a U.N. event and meet with representatives of several U.S. corporations, including Alphabet's Google and Facebook owner Meta.

Lam's trip also includes a visit to Cuba, a longtime communist partner of Vietnam.