1. Strengthening US Relations with ASEAN: A Critical Element of the US Indo-Pacific Strategy
- Author:
- East-West Wire
- Publication Date:
- 10-2019
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- East-West Center
- Abstract:
- With a population of 650 million and an annual GDP of $2.8 trillion, ASEAN is a key component of the US Indo-Pacific Strategy. Two visitors to the East-West Center, Kavi Chongkittavorn and Anu Anwar, emphasized that the United States needs to take several steps to strengthen working relations with ASEAN. Priorities for the Trump administration include: Attend the annual ASEAN-sponsored East Asia Summit; Establish personal rapport with ASEAN leaders; Participate actively in all ASEAN-led mechanisms, including the ASEAN Regional Forum, the ASEAN Defense Ministerial Meeting Plus, and the Lower Mekong Initiative; Appoint an American envoy to ASEAN, a position that has been vacant for more than 30 months; Maintain the ASEAN-focused programs and activities initiated under previous US administrations; Expand educational, cultural, and youth programs; Strengthen the US-ASEAN security commitment, in particular maritime and cyber security.
- Topic:
- International Relations, Geopolitics, Donald Trump, and ASEAN
- Political Geography:
- North America, Asia-Pacific, United States of America, and Indo-Pacific