Synopsis: This article discusses potential impact of the bilateral trade pacts between the U.S. and Vietnam. The agreement reached in last July would give U.S. firms greater market access and opportunity to enjoy location-specific advantages such as low-wage workers. In turn, Vietnam will get a normal trade status with the U.S., which will open doors to Vietnamese-made products. Given the fact that many U.S. firms had divested from Vietnam due to its corruption, red tape, and obstinate communist bureaucrats in the early 1990s, however, U.S. firms probably won't stampede in.

Full-text Article:
http://www.businessweek.com/1999/99_33/b3642193.htm

Text connection:
Chapter 7 "The Political Economy of Foreign Direct Investment."