The United States and ASEAN convened in Siem Reap, Cambodia, on April 22, 2025, for the 37th annual U.S.-ASEAN Dialogue. The meeting was co-chaired by Sean O’Neill, Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, and Kung Phoak, the Cambodian Secretary of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
During the dialogue, O'Neill expressed U.S. support for Malaysia's chairmanship of ASEAN, emphasizing the strong partnership shared with ASEAN over the past 48 years. O’Neill also communicated President Trump's dedication to focusing on the safety, security, and prosperity of citizens.
O’Neill pointed out that the United States is the leading source of foreign direct investment for ASEAN. He spoke of President Trump's objective to achieve greater fairness and reciprocity in trade relationships. O'Neill advocated for support in developing an inclusive digital economy, strengthening cybersecurity cooperation, fostering emerging technologies, ensuring freedom of navigation, and combatting transnational crime, notably online scam centers and synthetic drug trafficking. He also reinforced U.S. support for Timor-Leste's accession to ASEAN.
Geopolitical issues were a key point of discussion. O’Neill highlighted the importance of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region and resisting external aggression. He reiterated the United States' coordination with ASEAN to assist Burma in its transition to a democratic state as per the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus. O’Neill urged Burma's military regime to end the violence, release unjustly detained individuals, and allow unhindered humanitarian access. He also emphasized the necessity of protecting navigation and overflight freedoms in the South China Sea.
In closing, O'Neill expressed his condolences for the lives lost in Burma and Thailand due to the March 28 earthquake, reaffirming the United States's commitment to humanitarian aid during the recovery period.