For nearly five decades, the United States and ASEAN have maintained a partnership that has contributed to safety and strength in America and Southeast Asia, benefiting their combined population of one billion. The cooperation spans various sectors including foreign affairs, economics, digital policy, technology, energy, trade, education, health, security, and defense. The U.S. was the first dialogue partner to appoint an ambassador to ASEAN and establish a permanent mission in Jakarta.
The collaboration involves leaders' summits and ministerial meetings aimed at fostering economic growth and addressing geopolitical challenges. In 2022, ASEAN elevated its relationship with the U.S. to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Since then, the U.S. has fulfilled all commitments under the 2021-2025 Plan of Action with ASEAN.
Southeast Asia's strategic location and demographics offer significant opportunities for U.S. commerce and investment. The region is home to the world's fifth-largest economy with one-third of global trade passing through the South China Sea. Two-thirds of its 700 million residents are under 30 years old.
The U.S. is the largest source of foreign direct investment in Southeast Asia with over 6,000 companies operating there. In 2023, trade between the U.S. and Southeast Asia amounted to approximately $500 billion, supporting 625,000 American jobs. ASEAN ranks as the fifth-largest export market for U.S. food and agricultural goods while its digital economy could reach $2 trillion by 2030.
"The United States works closely with ASEAN to promote and preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific." This collaboration aims at innovation promotion, cybersecurity strengthening, and enhancing people-to-people ties.
Key milestones include:
- "1977: The United States became an official dialogue partner of ASEAN."
- "2008: The United States named an ambassador to ASEAN."
- "2010: The U.S. Mission to ASEAN officially opened."
- "2011: The United States appointed its first resident Ambassador to ASEAN."
- "2013: The United States launched its Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI)."
- "2022: ASEAN upgraded its relations with the United States to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP)."
- "2025: The United States completed 100 percent of its 2021-2025 Plan of Action with ASEAN."
For more information on bilateral relations between the U.S. and ASEAN countries visit respective embassy websites across Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore Thailand Vietnam Timor-Leste.