Dear Members,
We were ready to turn out the lights for the year this week, then found out that Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto was coming to Washington and interested in meeting USABC member companies, so we did that on December 22 (see below). More generally, as we come to the end of 2025, I want to thank all of you for your partnership this year. USABC is member driven. This year, we drove advocacy across most ASEAN markets and across all sectors. In Washington, we ramped up our engagement with the new Administration and will continue in that effort in 2026.
To kick off the month, the Council led a successful December 1-2 mission to Cambodia, which featured engagements with Prime Minister Hun Manet and senior economic ministers, focusing on strengthening digital infrastructure, expanding financial inclusion, advancing energy cooperation, and supporting regulatory reforms to enhance Cambodia’s competitiveness. The Council emphasized the value of transparent and predictable investment policies and highlighted U.S. industry leadership in areas such as emerging technologies, cybersecurity, and sustainable energy. The visit also marked a milestone with the appointment of Dararith Lim as USABC’s first in-country Executive Strategic Advisor for Cambodia, reinforcing the Council’s long-term presence and partnership in the market.
From December 8–9, the Council convened its biannual Board of Directors meeting in Washington, D.C. The two-day program featured substantive and forward-looking discussions on the Council’s operations, strategic direction, and outlook. In addition to the formal Board sessions, the meeting included a series of high-value sideline engagements with the U.S. government, including discussions with officials from the Departments of Treasury and Commerce, as well as the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. The Council also held constructive private-sector dialogues with key Chamber partners, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the US–China Business Council. Board members further engaged with Members of Congress and congressional staff in a productive, bipartisan dialogue on the current state of U.S. policymaking toward ASEAN. We also heard from senior executives at Marriott International and Lockheed Martin, who shared insights on navigating an increasingly complex global operating environment and offered perspectives on the evolving role of artificial intelligence in their business strategies. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our Board members for their active participation, thoughtful contributions, and continued leadership. Your engagement and guidance are essential to advancing the Council’s mission and strengthening our impact in the year ahead.
In Jakarta on December 2, the Council, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce, convened a cybersecurity standards roundtable on the sidelines of the 15th ASEAN DTSCWG Meeting, bringing together 125 participants from all ASEAN Member States, the U.S. Government, technical experts, and industry leaders. The discussion centered on aligning global cybersecurity frameworks, establishing a shared ASEAN “language of trust,” expanding pathways for SMEs to achieve certification, and leveraging emerging digital tools to modernize conformity assessment. USABC extends its appreciation to UL Standards & Engagement, Cisco Systems, the DTSCWG, and the ASEAN Secretariat for their strong collaboration in advancing regional digital integration and resilience.
In Washington, the Council and the Embassy of Indonesia in Washington, D.C. co-hosted the 2025 U.S.–Indonesia Business Roundtable on December 2, featuring remarks from Indonesian Ambassador Indroyono Soesilo and Ambassador Kamapradipta Isnomo, Acting Director General for American & European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The discussion also included insights from Bank Indonesia’s New York Chief, Wahyu Nugroho, and Indonesia Investment Promotion Center (IIPC) New York Director, Tessal Maharizky Febrian. Ambassador Soesilo reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to strengthening its investment climate and welcomed direct input from U.S. investors, while Ambassador Isnomo underscored four priority sectors—food and energy security, industrialization and downstream development, digital transformation, and human capital development. I thanked the Embassy for its continued partnership and emphasized that sustained coordination and follow-through are essential to achieving meaningful results.
Following the conclusion of the government shutdown, the Council, with the East-West Center and the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, were proud to co-host a December 2 Capitol Hill event launching the seventh edition of ASEAN Matters for America, a key resource on U.S.-ASEAN relations covering diplomacy, security, trade and investment, education, and cultural exchanges. The event featured remarks from Members of Congress, including Rep. Ami Bera, Rep. Ed Case, and Rep. Young Kim, as well as Hunt VanderToll, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Southeast Asia and ASEAN Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. Dr. Satu Limaye of the East-West Center moderated a panel with Barbara Weisel, former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, and Mario Masaya, USABC Vice President for Technology and Financial Services. Key findings from the publication highlight that ASEAN is the world’s fifth-largest economy, supports over 714,000 U.S. jobs through trade and investment, and is the top destination for U.S. investment in the Indo-Pacific. Special thanks were extended to sponsors AIG, Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Micron Technology, Citi, Freeport McMoRan, and Zuellig Pharma.
On December 18, the Council hosted an in-person briefing on Vietnam, featuring Mr. Vu Tu Thanh, the Council’s Deputy Regional Managing Director and Chief Representative of Vietnam, on the margin of his visit to Washington, D.C. The roundtable provided a timely opportunity for D.C.-based members to hear directly from Mr. Thanh about on-the-ground insights regarding Vietnam’s political and economic landscape. During the briefing, candid discussions were held on leadership changes ahead of the country’s most significant domestic political event—the 14th Communist Party Congress in January 2026—as well as Vietnam's policy direction in the context of global Sino-U.S. strategic competition, the state of ASEAN, and the opportunities and challenges for American companies.
To close out the year, the Council convened a short-notice, high-level roundtable with Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto on December 22, following the Indonesian delegation’s discussions with U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Greer. Minister Hartarto noted that the key issues necessary for completion of the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade have been resolved and expressed his appreciation to the Council for its continued engagement. He listened carefully and responded to member company issues. USABC was pleased to continue our frank conversation with Minister Airlangga after meeting him most recently at the October Indonesia Business Mission.
Thank you for all you do and have peaceful and joyful holidays,
Brian
USABC 2025 Impact at a Glance
For the first time, USABC has prepared an Impact Report highlighting key achievements across the year. As we close out 2025, the Council is proud to share the tangible impact of our work across ASEAN and in Washington. In a year marked by trade uncertainty and rapid policy change, USABC served as a steady, trusted partner—delivering results for our members through high-level engagement, targeted advocacy, and thought leadership that shaped regional outcomes.
By the numbers:
190+ member companies engaged across priority sectors
17 business missions across ASEAN, with 162 companies participating in 170 high-level meetings
149 total events convened globally (85 in ASEAN; 64 in the United States)
43 special projects delivering in-depth advocacy and policy impact
Dozens of advocacy wins, including regulatory improvements, paused restrictive measures, and tangible commercial benefits for members
These efforts reflect the strength of our member-driven model and the value of sustained public–private collaboration in advancing U.S.–ASEAN economic ties.
Read the full USABC Impact Report 2025: https://www.usasean.org/article/usabcs-2025-impact-report
UPCOMING EVENTS
Roundtable with A/S of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Michael DeSombre (Jan 5)
The Council will host a short-notice, high-level roundtable with Assistant Secretary of State Michael DeSombre, Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs and former U.S. Ambassador to Thailand. Sworn into his current role in early October, Assistant Secretary DeSombre will join Council members at the U.S. Department of State for an off-the-record discussion on U.S. policy priorities and regional dynamics in East Asia and the Pacific, offering members a timely opportunity to hear directly from a senior U.S. government official. RSVP by EOD Monday, December 29 (first come, first served) and submit a short professional bio and headshot as part of the process. Confirmed participants should plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early and bring a valid REAL ID or equivalent identification; standard State Department security procedures will apply. Additional details will be shared upon RSVP confirmation. For questions, contact Chris Zoromski (czoromski@usasean.org).
2026 Digital Economy Mission to Vietnam (Jan 12-14)
The Council will lead a senior-executive Digital Economy Mission to Hanoi, Vietnam, from January 12–14, 2026, just ahead of the 14th National Party Congress and in coordination with the 6th ASEAN Digital Ministers Meeting. This Mission will offer U.S. companies a timely platform to engage directly with senior policymakers and key ministries, shaping Vietnam’s rapidly evolving digital policy landscape. Key focus areas include artificial intelligence, IoT, Big Data, Blockchain, 5G/6G, regulatory and legal frameworks, and fostering U.S.–Vietnam collaboration in science, technology, and innovation, and unlocking opportunities across ICT, banking, and finance sectors. For more information, contact Le Nguyen (lnguyen@usasean.org).
2026 Business Mission to the 6th ASEAN Digital Ministers Meeting (Jan 13-16)
The Council will lead a senior-executive Business Mission to the 6th ASEAN Digital Ministers Meeting (ADGMIN), taking place January 13–16, 2026, in Hanoi, Vietnam. Convened alongside the ASEAN Digital Senior Officials Meeting and scheduled back-to-back with the Council’s Digital Economy Mission to Vietnam, this engagement will provide U.S. industry leaders with a direct platform to engage ASEAN digital ministers, senior officials, and the ASEAN Secretariat. The Mission will focus on advancing responsible artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and anti-scam cooperation, cross-border data governance, and digital economy integration, reinforcing U.S. companies’ role as trusted partners in supporting ASEAN’s digital transformation. For more information, contact Maya Crowden (mcrowden@usasean.org).
2026 Tourism Mission to the 29th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers (M-ATM) (Jan 26-30)
The Council will lead a senior-executive Business Mission to the 29th Meeting of the ASEAN Tourism Ministers (M-ATM), taking place January 26–30, 2026, in Cebu, Philippines, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Tourism Forum. Marking our ninth consecutive mission to the M-ATM, this engagement will convene U.S. industry leaders with ASEAN Tourism Ministers, National Tourism Organizations, and key regional stakeholders to advance sustainable and responsible tourism, digital innovation, and regional travel recovery. The Mission will include plenary consultations, bilateral meetings with ASEAN tourism authorities, and targeted networking opportunities designed to strengthen U.S.–ASEAN collaboration in one of the region’s most dynamic sectors. For more information, contact Pimploy Vivatanapaiboonlap (pimploy@usasean.org).
2026 SPECIAL PROJECT OFFERINGS
In 2026, USABC will deliver a comprehensive portfolio of Special Projects spanning multiple industries and geographies across ASEAN and the United States. These initiatives provide members with meaningful opportunities to influence policy outcomes, enhance visibility, and advance strategic business priorities. Below are some of the Special Projects available for sponsorship in 2026:
Strategic Advocacy on the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship 2026: The Council is working with interested companies to come up with a Strategic Action Plan that captures key insights from roundtable discussions and provides policy recommendations and actionable initiatives/activities relevant to the Philippines’ Chairship vision in 2026, particularly on sustainable supply chains, sustainability and food security, healthcare, digital economy and workforce development, and AI.
Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) Initiative: USABC plans to launch a new round of engagements, including a regional consultation forum, a trade mission with ASEAN DEFA negotiators' delegation, and targeted capacity-building for Member States requiring implementation support.
Subsea Cables Policy Roundtable Series: A three-part policy roundtable series comprising two in-country sessions and one regional dialogue, convening policymakers, technical experts, and industry stakeholders to discuss subsea cable resilience and public–private cooperation on critical digital infrastructure.
USABC Trade Working Group (TWG) 2.0: Prioritizing trade policy, tariff deals, transshipment mechanism, and tech exports-AI Action Plan in 2026, USABC proposes TWG 2.0 to help members influence U.S.-ASEAN tariff policy and ongoing tariff negotiations with U.S. and ASEAN governments. This initiative aims to enhance dialogue with stakeholders, address non-tariff barriers to boost competitiveness, and promote deeper regional economic cooperation.
Farm to Table Initiatives: The Farm to Table Initiative aims to promote an integrated approach through a 1.5-day workshop, connecting stakeholders across every stage of the process—from production and processing to distribution and consumption.
Members interested in learning more about completed or ongoing Special Projects, or in exploring new project ideas for 2026, are encouraged to contact Angga Antagia(aantagia@usasean.org), Hai Pham (hpham@usasean.org), or Jannica Tjandra(jtjandra@usasean.org).
COMINGS AND GOINGS
USABC bids farewell and thank you to Regional Managing Director/Senior Vice President Ambassador Ted Osius (ret.) as of the end of December 2025.
I am pleased to announce that Herminio C. Bagro III (“Third”) is the new Chief Country Representative for the Philippines, effective December 16, as we bid farewell and thank you to Florina “Binggay” Vistal.
Ma. Cecilia "Macel" B. Jimenez-Rada joined our Manila office as our new Philippines Country Representative on December 1. Macel is a lawyer with experience in strategic investments, infrastructure development, and legislative reform, who bridges public and private sector priorities. She holds a Juris Doctor and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of the Philippines. Macel is an active member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and the Institute of Corporate Directors, and she teaches commercial and civil law at the University of the Philippines College of Law.
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