US-ASEAN Business Council Congratulates President-elect Donald J. Trump on his Election Victory

(Washington, D.C.) On behalf of the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) Board of Directors, members, and staff, USABC Chairman Jeffrey Perlman congratulated President-elect Donald J. Trump on his recent electoral victory. USABC looks forward to collaborating with the incoming Trump administration on issues related to Southeast Asia, a region that USABC and its 180 member companies have been dedicated to since 1984.

The ASEAN Economic Community is the Indo-Pacific’s third largest and the world’s fifth largest economy. Its projected growth to the fourth largest economy by 2030 underscores its global economic impact. As the United States’ fourth largest export market in the world, ASEAN supports over 625,000 American jobs, with $122 billion in American goods exported annually from all 50 states.

With a combined GDP of $3.2 trillion, ASEAN continues to drive global prosperity. Additionally, its strategic location in the Indo-Pacific aligns with U.S. priorities to counter regional threats, strengthen alliances, and promote a rules-based order. As ASEAN’s influence grows, its economic and geopolitical importance will continue to unify U.S. policymakers across political lines in advancing shared goals of prosperity, cooperation, and regional stability.

President-elect Trump’s previous administration laid a strong foundation with the Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy, promoting a secure, open, and rules-based region rooted in principles such as freedom of navigation, respect for sovereignty, and equitable economic practices. Moving forward, continuity in this strategy under the next Trump administration would strengthen regional partnerships, foster economic resilience, and promote stability.

The previous Trump administration’s focus on “free and fair” trade has enhanced U.S.-ASEAN relations by fostering balanced economic cooperation and addressing trade imbalances. By prioritizing fair practices, this approach seeks to ensure reciprocal market access, reduce trade barriers, and address trade imbalances that affect both U.S. and ASEAN economies.

Looking ahead, the administration has opportunities to deepen U.S.-ASEAN ties through trade agreements, particularly in digital trade, investment protection, and cross-border data flows. Strengthening critical supply chains in minerals and semiconductors will enhance regional resilience and U.S. economic security. Aligning with ASEAN’s Digital Economy Framework Agreement and investing in infrastructure such as IT and energy will further bolster strategic collaboration.USABC looks forward to working together to advance U.S. interests and opportunities in ASEAN.