Vice President Kamala Harris participated in the annual East Asia Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia on Sept. 7, making clear the United States' support of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.
"The United States and the nations of Southeast Asia share many long-term interests and priorities, as well as a long-term vision," the vice president said.
The vice president spoke at the eleventh U.S.-ASEAN Summit, highlighting economic ties between the two regions. Vice President Harris emphasized efforts to promote prosperity through reliable infrastructure and strong supply chains. (DOT has launched new transportation programs through the U.S.-ASEAN Transportation Partnership.)
Vice President Harris also spoke on the need for the respect of navigation of the East China Sea and South China Sea and maintaining peace across the Taiwan Strait.
Finally, the vice president condemned both Russia's war against Ukraine as well as the Burmese military's violence against the Burmese people.
"We have a shared commitment to international rules and norms and to our partnership on pressing national and regional issues, such as the crisis in Myanmar. The United States will continue to press the regime to end the horrific violence, to release all those unjustly detained, and to re-establish Myanmar’s path to inclusive democracy, and we will continue to support ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus" Vice President Harris said.
In Washington, The State Department announced that a US-Association of Southeast Asian Nations Center will be established in Washington through a "public-private partnership."
The Center will further institutionalize and deepen the relationship between the United Statesand ASEAN while bolstering support for US economic and cultural engagement with Southeast Asia, according to State.
The United States is the largest source of foreign direct investment in Southeast Asia, and more than 6,200 U.S. businesses have contributed to a record $520.3 billion in total trade between the United States and the nations of ASEAN in 2022, creating 625,000 jobs in all 50 states, and 1 million jobs throughout Southeast Asia.
Center activities will be aimed at supporting the United States’ and ASEAN’s joint efforts to promote an open, connected, prosperous, resilient and secure region.
Read her remarks here.
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