The United States has a long memory, particularly for its enemies. Long after it made tentative peace with its longtime Russian rival, long after it welcomed communist China to the U.N. Security Council, it would not abide any trade with Vietnam. Although the U.S. withdrew its forces from the region in 1975, it continued a trade embargo for 19 years, neither accepting Vietnam-made goods, nor engaging any kind of financial transactions with its former foe. Several attempts at normalization of relations died in committee.

On this day, February 3rd, in 1994, President Clinton finally lifted the embargo, allowing trade between the two countries for the first time since the American invasion. Clinton’s goal in lifting trade restrictions was to find out the fates of more than 2,200 American servicemen listed missing in action in Vietnam.

Little actual trade occurred in the first years after the embargo lifted, as Vietnam’s goods were still subject to high tariffs. Nevertheless, Clinton was criticized by Vietnam veterans for making any overtures to the enemy; although he was supported in his quest by Arizona Senator, and former Vietnam prisoner of war, John McCain.