At the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference with the United States in Manila, Vietnam emphasized the necessity for enhanced collaboration between ASEAN and the U.S. in areas such as trade, artificial intelligence, digital technology, and energy transition. Vietnamese Foreign Minister Lê Hoài Trung, addressing the gathering, praised Washington’s dedication to ensuring peace, stability, and development across the region. He urged for the swift completion of a new comprehensive work program to solidify these efforts.
Trung highlighted the potential for expanded cooperation in critical sectors including trade and investment, the digital economy, semiconductors, science and technology, innovation, energy transition, and regional energy connectivity. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of U.S. support for the Mekong sub-region, specifically in water management, climate change adaptation, infrastructure development, and workforce training.
Concerning regional security, Trung stressed the necessity of maintaining peace and resolving disputes via dialogue and adherence to international law. He expressed appreciation for the U.S.’s ongoing support for ASEAN’s stance on the South China Sea and advocated for Washington’s role in fortifying an open, inclusive, and rules-based regional order centered on ASEAN. Addressing the Middle East situation, Trung urged for enhanced dialogue and the reestablishment of secure maritime routes through the Strait of Hormuz, underlining the significance of safeguarding freedom of navigation as per international law.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to ASEAN, acknowledging Southeast Asia’s strategic and economic importance. He promised continued U.S. investment in supply chains, the digital economy, energy security, power-grid connectivity, and civil nuclear cooperation.
The conference concluded with an agreement between ASEAN and the United States to deepen economic relations, expand cooperation in high-value industries, and enhance people-to-people connections. Both parties also agreed to improve coordination in addressing challenges like terrorism, cybercrime, human trafficking, drug trafficking, and online scams.