Vietnam Calls for Stronger ASEAN-US Cooperation in Trade, Technology and Regional Security
Manila, The Gulf Observer: Vietnam’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lê Hoài Trung, on Wednesday called for deeper ASEAN–United States cooperation in trade, technology, energy and regional security while attending the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference with the United States on the sidelines of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM-59) in Manila.
Addressing the meeting, Minister Trung welcomed the United States’ commitment to peace, stability and development in the region and urged both sides to finalise and effectively implement a new comprehensive work programme at the earliest opportunity.
Highlighting economic cooperation, he proposed that ASEAN and the United States promote trade and investment in an open, transparent and mutually beneficial manner, while expanding collaboration in the digital economy, artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, science and technology, innovation, energy transition and regional energy connectivity.
The Vietnamese foreign minister also called for continued US support for the Mekong sub-region, particularly in water resource management, climate change adaptation, sustainable infrastructure development and human resource training.
On regional and international issues, Trung stressed the importance of maintaining peace, security and stability and resolving disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law. He welcomed continued US support for ASEAN’s principled position on the South China Sea and called on Washington to contribute to an open, inclusive, transparent and rules-based regional architecture with ASEAN at its centre.
Referring to the situation in the Middle East, he urged all parties to promote dialogue and restore safe and uninterrupted maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, while reaffirming the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The participating ministers noted that the ASEAN–US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has continued to advance following the completion of the 2021–2025 Plan of Action. They agreed to expedite a new comprehensive work programme to implement the ASEAN–US Leaders’ Joint Vision Statement and begin preparations for the 50th anniversary of ASEAN–US dialogue relations in 2027, including the possibility of holding a commemorative summit.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed Washington’s full support for ASEAN, describing Southeast Asia as a key driver of global economic growth and a region of strategic importance to the United States.
He pledged continued US investment and cooperation in secure supply chains, the digital economy, energy security, energy transition, electricity grid connectivity and civil nuclear energy.
The ministers also agreed to deepen ASEAN–US economic relations by expanding cooperation in high value-added sectors, while enhancing people-to-people exchanges, education, healthcare, human resource development and disaster management.
Both sides further agreed to accelerate practical projects under the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and strengthen cooperation in addressing non-traditional security challenges, including terrorism, cybercrime, human trafficking, drug trafficking and online fraud. ASEAN also welcomed continued US engagement in ASEAN-led mechanisms and took note of a proposal to develop an ASEAN–US leaders’ statement outlining ten public-private partnership principles to combat online scams.
