Dear members,
Greetings from the Council! With the 90-day pause on U.S. reciprocal tariffs nearing its completion date of July 9, we have been busy collaborating with member companies, ASEAN government stakeholders, and key decision-makers in the U.S. government and Congress to ensure that trade negotiations can be as meaningful and productive as possible.
Earlier this month, the Chairman of our Board of Directors Jeffrey Perlman and our incoming interim President and CEO Ambassador Brian McFeeters (ret.) met with Deputy Treasury Secretary Michael Faulkender and Counselor and nominee for Deputy United States Trade Representative (USTR) Jeffrey Goettman. These discussions focused on the importance of non-tariff barriers in negotiations, the needs of U.S. businesses in Southeast Asia, and the evolving global trade landscape.
We continued these conversations on the Hill, where Ambassador McFeeters and I met with Representative Young Kim and Representative Ami Bera, the Chair and Ranking Member of the East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee in the House Foreign Affairs Committee, respectively. In these leadership positions, Representative Kim and Representative Bera have been champions of the U.S.-ASEAN partnership, and we’re glad to be in continuous dialogue with them on issues pertaining to trade and investment. I was honored to interview Representative Kim for this newsletter, the transcript of which you can find below.
As always, we’re committed to convening visiting ASEAN delegations with our member companies, and this month has been no exception. In Washington, we welcomed Minister Do Duc Duy of Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) for a business roundtable, in which company representatives shared their commitment to advancing sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture, strengthening agricultural value chains, and increasing the availability of high-quality U.S. agricultural products in Vietnam. Following the roundtable, Minister Duy signed MOUs for the importation of nearly $3 billion in U.S. agricultural products. He additionally welcomed the support of U.S. businesses in technology transfer and sustainable supply chain development, while reaffirming the Vietnamese government’s commitment to fostering a favorable environment for U.S. companies.
The Council also held a fireside chat with Tengku Zafrul Aziz, Malaysia's Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), at the Embassy of Malaysia. This engagement allowed member companies to hear from Minister Zafrul immediately following his meetings with USTR and the U.S. Department of Commerce. At the conclusion of the fireside chat, the Council soft-launched its white paper, “Driving ASEAN Unity: Malaysia’s Vision for 2025," and shared an executive summary of the report with Minister Zafrul. The white paper offers strategic recommendations across five critical areas to support Malaysia's 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship: the digital economy, talent acquisition, healthcare, sustainability, and the energy transition. The official white paper launch event will be held in Kuala Lumpur in July.
The Council also hosted a high-level dialogue in Bangkok with Thailand’s Minister of Industry Akanat Promphan. Amidst global economic uncertainty, Minister Akanat underlined that Thailand remains a strategic investment destination. With strong infrastructure, export potential, and regional connectivity, the country continues to offer a solid foundation for business growth. Minister Akanat additionally noted Thailand’s prioritization of innovation-led industries, including electric vehicles (EVs), smart electronics, and the bio-circular green (BCG) economy.
In Indonesia, the Council co-hosted the USABC-ASEAN Innovation Gala Dinner, alongside the Indonesia National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). The event brought together over 90 attendees, including senior officials from the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology, and Innovation (COSTI), Permanent Missions to ASEAN, ministries, and industry leaders. At the gala, our participants explored the advancement of innovation within Southeast Asia across different industries, including sustainability and ICT.
This month, we’ve also been active in leading our own delegations to both the region and the United States. On the sidelines of the 34th Meeting of the ASEAN Directors-General of Customs in Brunei, we led a delegation of U.S. companies to meet with senior customs officials from Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, the World Customs Organization, and the ASEAN Secretariat. During the plenary session between the Council and ASEAN Customs DGs, the delegation presented our recommendation paper, “Deepening Customs Cooperation in Advancing Trade Facilitation and Unlocking Investment Opportunities in ASEAN.”
We were also pleased to lead our annual U.S. Ambassadors’ Tour to San Francisco, San Diego, and Washington. Ambassador McFeeters led the delegation, comprised of U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson and U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper. Site visits with U.S. companies included Atmo, Astranis, General Atomics, Roblox, and Illumina. The delegation also visited NASA’s Ames Research Center, the Defense Innovation Unit, and San Diego Zoo. The visit was supported by partnerships with the U.S. Commercial Service San Francisco, the San Diego World Affairs Council, the U.S. Commercial Service San Diego, and the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The tour concluded with a luncheon in Washington, honoring ten current and former U.S. and ASEAN ambassadors. Senior Bureau Official Sean O’Neill from the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs and the Acting Bureau Head Jennifer Bachus from the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy delivered keynote remarks. Ambassador Knapper, Ambassador Carlson, and Dr. Suriya Chindawongse, Ambassador of Thailand to the United States, joined a panel discussion on the U.S. digital economy in Southeast Asia.
Finally, as many of you know, I am leaving today to move with my family to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where I will be assuming the role of Regional Managing Director and Senior Vice President. I am delighted that Ambassador McFeeters—a familiar face to many company representatives in the region—will be leading the Council as our interim President and CEO from Washington. His rich experience as the Council’s Regional Managing Director and Senior Vice President in Singapore, not to mention his time serving as U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia, equips him excellently for his new role.
My time in Washington leading the Council has been a privilege and an honor, thanks to the many people with whom I’ve had the good fortune to collaborate along the way: member companies, embassies, and other friends who share our vision of robust U.S.-ASEAN economic ties. I look forward to meeting many more of you in the region, whether at a business roundtable or on a mission. And to my many friends here in Washington, this is not goodbye; as they say in Vietnam, it’s hẹn gặp lại.
Best regards,
Ted
EXPERT SPOTLIGHT: REP. YOUNG KIM
On June 11, Ambassador Ted Osius (ret.) had the pleasure of sitting down with Representative Young Kim for a discussion on Congress’s role in shaping trade policy, the impact of tariffs on business with Southeast Asia, and new avenues for economic collaboration with the region.
Representative Kim represents the 40th District of California, which includes parts of Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties. She serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where she is Chair of the Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific. She also serves on the House Financial Services Committee.
Read the full interview here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
From July 9 to 10, the Council’s Financial Services Committee will hold its Mission to Indonesia. This year’s mission, which will take place in Jakarta, will focus on Indonesia’s fast-growing financial services sector, including digital payment, fintech, insurance, digital assets, fraud issues in financial services, cross-border financial data, and the development of capital markets. The preliminary format for this year’s mission includes engagements with key financial services stakeholders such the Financial Services Authority (OJK), Bank Indonesia, the ASEAN Secretariat, and others. For questions about the mission, please contact Christine Wan (cwan@usasean.org) and Bella Afifa (safifa@usasean.org).
The Council is pleased to be registering senior-level executives to join the annual Singapore Business Mission, taking place from July 15 to 17. This year’s business mission aims to leverage Singapore’s strategic position amid global trade shifts, with a focus on engaging Singapore’s leadership during SG60, responding to evolving global trade dynamics, promoting regional stability, and championing business-driven sustainability. Interested members may register for the mission here or contact Angelica Ortega (aortega@usasean.org).
The Council invites senior executives to join its annual Philippines Business Mission, taking place in Metro Manila from August 12 to 14. The mission will feature in-person meetings with senior Philippine government officials and key stakeholders, focusing on inclusive growth, regulatory modernization, workforce development, and regional economic resilience. The program aligns with the Philippines’ national priorities and preparations for its 2026 ASEAN Chairmanship. For more information, you may reach out to Angelica Ortega (aortega@usasean.org).
From August 14 to 15, the Council will lead an Aerospace, Defense, and Security (ADS) mission to the Philippines, spotlighting key sectors such as defense systems, civilian aerospace, dual-use and autonomous technologies, secure communications, and cyber capabilities, while advancing opportunities for co-production, joint development, technology transfer, and workforce development. These efforts aim to strengthen national security, build resilient supply chains, and cultivate a skilled workforce, offering U.S. companies significant prospects for long-term engagement. Proposed engagements include senior Philippine defense and security leaders, such as the Secretary of National Defense, Armed Forces Chief of Staff, service branch commanders, and key civilian and legislative stakeholders involved in defense policy and industry development. For more information, please contact Chuck Casey (ccasey@usasean.org).
COMINGS AND GOINGS
A warm welcome to Dr. James Andrade, the Council’s inaugural Singapore Chief Country Representative and Senior Advisor for ASEAN. A Singapore resident for over two decades, Dr. Andrade joined the Council on June 2 following a successful private sector career with Mondelez (formerly Kraft Foods), Ascendas-Singbridge, and Capitaland. He previously served as Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore.
We bid farewell to our Associate for Membership; Customs, Trade, and Supply Chains; and Food and Agriculture Robin Huang, who has moved on to pursue other opportunities. For queries related to membership, please reach out to Andrew Koch (akoch@usasean.org); for queries related to Customs, Trade, and Supply Chains, please reach out to Angelica Ortega (aortega@usasean.org); and for queries related to Food and Agriculture, please reach out to Hai Pham (hpham@usasean.org).
COUNCIL IN THE NEWS
Business community urged to enhance capabilities amid global economic tensions - Viet Nam News
Local firms urged to swiftly reposition development strategies amid global shift - Voice of Vietnam
Vietnam urged to adapt as global trade shifts: seminar - Vietnam News Agency (VNA)
Vietnam-US strengthen agricultural ties, targeting $2.5 billion in trade - SGGP English Edition
Deals worth $3 billion signed to import US agricultural products - Viet Nam News
Vietnam-US trade ties make new progress - Vietnam+
Vietnamese firms sign 20 MoUs worth $3 billion to buy US agri-goods - Vietnam Investment Review
Vietnam increases imports of US agricultural products - Vietnam+
US businesses support a balanced, harmonious trade deal between Việt Nam, US - Viet Nam News
Trade imbalance with Vietnam is structural, says US business leader - VietNamNet Global
Requesting USABC and US businesses to support Vietnam in trade negotiations - Vietnam.vn
Vietnam urges USABC to back reciprocal trade agreement talks with US - Fibre2Fashion
Malaysia to hold second round of trade talks with US - The Investor
Malaysia to hold second round of trade talks with US - Vietnam+
Malaysia, US-Asean Business Council strengthen regional health cooperation - The Edge Malaysia
ASEAN VISA-FREE TRAVEL BOOSTS INTRA-REGIONAL TOURISM - Tourism Review
Agricultural tie-ups ascend the with US - Vietnam Investment Review
Three decades of Vietnam-US relations marked by stronger business partnership - VOV Voice of Vietnam
30 years of Vietnam-US relations: The cross-cutting role of public-private partnership - Vietnam.vn
Dialogue talks role of public-private partnership in Vietnam-US relations - VietnamPlus
Vietnam, US promote people-to-people exchanges - Voice of Vietnam
America's defense industry eyes Philippines modernization drive - Manila Bulletin
Dialogue talks role of public-private partnership in Vietnam-US relations - VietNamNet Global
Malaysia to host Asean AI Summit to shape inclusive regional future - Selangor Journal
Insurance’s push for early health intervention - BusinessWorld Online
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