An agreement between the United States and Vietnam would let American companies sell nuclear technology to America’s former enemy.
The United States Congress has yet to approve the agreement.
Caty Weaver tells us about the deal and criticism that Vietnam is moving too quickly to build nuclear power stations.
American Secretary of State John Kerry and Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh signed the agreement on October 10th at a meeting in Brunei.
If Congress approves, American businesses will be able to sell nuclear power equipment to Vietnam.
The companies want to be able to do that because Vietnam’s nuclear power market is expected to grow from $10 billion to $50 billion by the end of 2030.
Vietnam has its own supplies of coal, oil and hydropower. But experts say the nation may have to import energy as soon as 2015 because its economy is growing so quickly.
To deal with the expected growth, Vietnam plans to build as many as 13 nuclear power stations over the next 20 years. It has already made nuclear technology agreements with Russia and Japan.
Murray Hiebert is with the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC. He says nuclear projects require long-term investments and relationships. And he says the October agreement between the United States and Vietnam will help American companies -- but, he says, that is not the only reason the American government signed it.
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2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25