Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Michael George DeSombre represented the United States at the East Asia Summit, where he presented President Trump's vision for a free, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. DeSombre emphasized continued U.S. support for ASEAN and highlighted Malaysia’s role as chair during the past year.
During his remarks, DeSombre praised Malaysia’s leadership and noted its contribution to regional peace through the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords. He said, "Assistant Secretary DeSombre applauded Malaysia’s leadership throughout a successful ASEAN chair year and underscored U.S. support for further ASEAN leadership in creating regional peace and stability, including through the signing of the historic Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords."
DeSombre also marked the signing of the ASEAN-U.S. Joint Vision Statement aimed at strengthening ties between ASEAN member states and the United States. According to him, "Assistant Secretary DeSombre celebrated the signing of the ASEAN-U.S. Joint Vision Statement for a Stronger, Safer, and More Prosperous ASEAN and America." He reiterated American commitment to fair trade by announcing planned upgrades to the ASEAN Single Window platform.
The Assistant Secretary outlined new efforts against online scam operations with initiatives designed to improve cyber threat awareness and foster cooperation between public agencies and private sector partners in combating scams. "He renewed the United States’ commitment to fair and balanced trade by announcing upgrades to the ASEAN Single Window, and he demonstrated U.S. leadership in combatting online scam operations through new initiatives to enhance cyber threat awareness and promote public-private anti-scam partnerships," according to his statement.
DeSombre concluded by affirming U.S. support for “ASEAN centrality” within regional structures and expressed anticipation about advancing relations during next year’s Philippines chairmanship: "The Assistant Secretary reinforced the importance of ASEAN centrality and looks forward to deepening our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the Philippines’ upcoming chair year."