The US-ASEAN Business Council and East-West Center Launch New Edition of ASEAN Matters for America

Washington, D.C. – The US-ASEAN Business Council and the East-West Center launched the 6th edition of ASEAN Matters for America/America Matters for ASEAN at the Rayburn House Office Building to highlight Congress's important role in strengthening US-ASEAN relations. The publication was a collaboration between the US-ASEAN Business Council, the East-West Center, and the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.

The 6th edition features insightful infographics, data, and analysis of economic, diplomatic, and cultural interactions and impacts at the national, state, and local levels, highlighting the deep and growing ties between the U.S. and ASEAN.

Dr. Satu Limaye, Vice President of the East-West Center and Director of the Center's Washington and Research programs, kicked off the event by saying, "We could not have produced this publication without the continued support of our partners at the US-ASEAN Business Council, the ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute, and the entire East-West Center in Washington team.”

The event brought together members of Congress and their staff, U.S. government officials, the private sector, regional experts, and the interested public to celebrate the deep and rich partnerships between the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. ​ 

"ASEAN is a major economic and security player in the region," said His Excellency Rosan Roeslani, Ambassador of Indonesia to the United States. "Our trade and investment ties are stronger than ever before."

"ASEAN is a key partner for U.S. trade and investment," said Ambassador Ted Osius, President & CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council. "The U.S. and ASEAN exchange $508 billion in goods and services annually, and ASEAN is the number one destination for U.S. investment in the Indo-Pacific. While ASEAN is a valuable trade partner for the United States, with four ASEAN nations in America's top twenty trade partners, its strategic importance is also growing. In Q1 of this year, almost 50% of all the semiconductor chips imported into the U.S. came from four ASEAN nations, led by Malaysia."

"Deepening our commitment to ASEAN is at the core of our Indo-Pacific strategy," said Robert Koepcke, Director of the Office of Mainland Southeast Asia at the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, U.S. Department of State. "ASEAN is at the core of those interests."

The launch event included remarks from prominent U.S. government officials, private sector representatives, and experts, including:

The new ASEAN Matters for America/America Matters for ASEAN edition is available on the Asia Matters for America website here.

The event was generously sponsored by Platinum Sponsor The Coca-Cola Company; Gold Sponsors Vinfast, Expedia Group, and Chevron; and Silver Sponsors Energy Capital Vietnam, Citi, AIG, Marriott International, and Boeing.