Dear Members,
I begin with an important personnel update. SVP/RMD Ambassador Ted Osius (ret.), former USABC President and CEO, has let me know that he will leave his position with the Council as of December 31, 2025. He intends to stay in Vietnam and do some teaching as well as spending more time with his family. I regret that we will not be working with Ted after this date. We thank Ambassador Osius not only for his work as SVP/RMD but also for his prior four years leading USABC as President and CEO, growing our membership and influence. We will seek a highly qualified successor.
After spending most of October in the ASEAN region, I have been back in D.C. since early November, where our team is focused on completing 2025 advocacy projects and preparing for 2026. Looking ahead, we have developed a robust 2026 plan featuring 18 main country and industry missions; 12 other ASEAN region missions based on member interest such as a health and life sciences delegation to Vietnam and an aerospace and defense mission to the Philippines; 20 special projects based on members’ call for more depth on certain issues, such as cybersecurity; and 12 U.S.-based projects such as meeting ASEAN leaders on the sidelines of UNGA and ambassadors’ tours. Our talented USABC colleagues have details of each of these, and we would be glad to discuss them with you.
But before we have those discussions, please have a happy and restful Thanksgiving!
Our most important event of the month was the Thailand Business Mission. We are grateful for the cooperation of the Government of Thailand and the Thai Embassy in D.C. for helping us ensure the mission proceeded even in the wake of the Queen Mother’s passing away. SVP/RMD Ambassador Ted Osius (ret.) led the delegation of 39 leading U.S. companies together with top Thai officials to discuss the government’s “Quick Big Win” agenda and new opportunities in innovation, digital transformation, clean energy, and sustainable development. The delegation also welcomed the Joint Statement on a Framework for a U.S.-Thailand Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, underscoring both countries’ commitment to fair and transparent trade and highlighting U.S. industry’s strong dedication to supporting Thailand’s economic growth and competitiveness.
Continuing our engagement with Thailand, on 25 November, the Council had the pleasure of hosting an intimate roundtable with Ambassador Sean O’Neill, the incoming U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand. The discussion centered on the United States’ strategic priorities in Thailand, as well as the future of bilateral relationship in trade, technology, and security. I really appreciated the way that Ambassador O’Neill delved into company details, seeking to understand their issues in Thailand. With Thailand under a new administration and renewed national priorities, the conversation came at an important time for the U.S.–Thailand bilateral relationship. Member companies shared their perspectives on market conditions in Thailand, discussed pathways to best support their operations on the ground, and reaffirmed their commitment to contributing to a strong and mutually beneficial U.S.–Thailand commercial relationship.
That same day, I joined about 200 senior USG officials, diplomats, and others from the business community at the swearing-in ceremony for State Department Assistant Secretary for East Asia and the Pacific (EAP) Michael DeSombre in the State Department’s 8th floor Benjamin Franklin Room. In his introduction, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau highlighted that DeSombre is the first businessperson — with 22 years at a U.S. law firm in Hong Kong — to hold this role in decades. In his remarks, DeSombre, former U.S. Ambassador to Thailand, said his top priorities included promoting U.S. commercial opportunities and combating scams. In short, a great partner for USABC.
We were honored to host Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chantol at our D.C. office on 4 November, just over a week after Cambodia’s Prime Minister signed the final Agreement on Reciprocal Tariffs (ART) with the U.S. The Council hosted a roundtable with the DPM and Chief trade negotiator as part of his investment roadshow. The roundtable brought together Cambodian officials, private-sector representatives, AmCham Cambodia, and 15 U.S. companies to discuss new investment opportunities. DPM Sun Chanthol underscored priorities for strengthening U.S.-Cambodia economic ties, including reforms under Cambodia’s new investment law, implementation of new customs law as part of the ART that reduces Cambodian import tariffs on goods made in the U.S. to zero, and emphasized the roundtable’s role in building trust and fostering future collaboration. He also noted his anticipation for continued engagement during the upcoming Cambodia Business Mission on 1-2 December in Phnom Penh.
In the region, on the sidelines of the Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF), the Council, supported by JPMorganChase, convened a Financial Services Briefing Roundtable. The briefing brought together ASEAN regulators such as the Securities Commission (SC) Malaysia & Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), private sector leaders, and industry associations to discuss the importance of risk management in enabling innovation and risk in financial services amid the rise of emerging technologies like AI. The event served as a platform for sharing best practices, strengthening public-private collaboration, and exploring principles-based approaches that promote innovation, trust, and safety across ASEAN’s financial landscape.
Back in D.C. the Council welcomed Indonesia’s new Ambassador to the U.S., H.E. Indroyono Soesilo, who highlighted his priorities in technology, energy, human capital, food security, and critical minerals, as well as collaboration across industries. The luncheon emphasized strengthening U.S.-Indonesia ties, supporting STEM education, workforce development, and civilian applications of defense materials, with participation from U.S. and ASEAN government and business representatives.
One thing I especially appreciate is Ambassador Indroyono’s commitment to systematic follow-up on the issues raised by USABC member companies during the October 14–16 Indonesia Business Mission. Since then, the Council has met with him twice, and we will convene another follow-up session with company representatives in early December. For additional details or to participate, please contact Mega Valentina at mega@usasean.org.
A week later, the Council hosted an off-the-record roundtable with the ASEAN Defense Attachés and the Honorable Randall G. Schriver, Chairman of the Board at the Institute for Indo-Pacific Security and former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs. I worked with him at State during 2017-18 so was glad to see him again. The discussion offered members a valuable opportunity to engage directly with the Defense Attachés, exchange perspectives on strategic dynamics under the U.S. reciprocal tariff framework and identify ways to strengthen the business environment in ASEAN and support ASEAN partners in their U.S. engagements.
Thank you once again for your time, partnership, and continued support. We look forward to staying closely engaged and working together in the weeks ahead. If you have any questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We appreciate the collaboration and remain committed to advancing our shared priorities.
Best Regards,
Brian
ADVOCACY WIN
The Council secured a significant commercial advocacy win this month with the successful renewal of Atlas Air’s Foreign Air Operator Certificate (FAOC) in Vietnam, now valid through November 2026. After Atlas Air’s operating license unexpectedly lapsed, our Vietnam team—led by Thanh and Lam—worked closely with the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) and the company to troubleshoot outstanding security documentation, facilitate direct communication with the appropriate officials, and help keep the approval process on track.
Thanks to this sustained engagement and coordination across teams, Atlas Air is now fully approved to operate all current fleet types into Vietnam—an outcome the company described as “the moment we have been waiting for.” This result demonstrates timely, effective Council’s advocacy on behalf of U.S. industry in the region.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Cambodia Business Mission (December 1-2)
The US-ASEAN Business Council will lead its 2025 Cambodia Business Mission on December 1–2, 2025, in Phnom Penh, bringing senior U.S. executives together with top Cambodian officials to strengthen commercial ties and explore opportunities under the Royal Government of Cambodia’s “Pentagon Strategy.” The 16-company mission will focus on economic reform, U.S.-Cambodia trade, energy and infrastructure development, and human capital and SME capacity building, with meetings expected with Prime Minister Hun Manet, key cabinet ministers, and U.S. Embassy leadership. For more information, please contact Jack Myint (jmyint@usasean.org) or Dararith Lim (dlim@usasean.org).
U.S.-ASEAN Roundtable: Best Practices in Implementing and Aligning Cybersecurity Standards and Conformance in ASEAN (December 2)
The Council will organize the U.S.-ASEAN Roundtable: Best Practices in Implementing and Aligning Cybersecurity Standards and Conformance in ASEAN on 2 December 2025, held on the sidelines of the 15th Digital Trade Standards and Conformance Working Group (DTSCWG) Meeting at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta. The hybrid roundtable will focus on the adoption and implementation of cybersecurity standards, particularly ISO/IEC 27001 on information security management systems and ISO/IEC 27002 on information security controls. Members interested in this initiative may contact Reihan Farial – Associate for ASEAN (rfarial@usasean.org).
Luncheon Roundtable on U.S. Trade and Economic Strategy with Senior U.S. Official and Chamber Partners (December 8)
Closed-door luncheon with a senior U.S. government official, joined by senior executives from the U.S. private sector and U.S. government. The discussion will focus on ASEAN's growing importance amid shifting U.S.-China dynamics, tariffs, and trade priorities. Please contact Andrew Koch (akoch@usasean.org) for more information.
ASEAN Ambassadors Roundtable & CEO Fireside Chat (December 9)
Co-hosted by the ASEAN Committee in Washington, D.C. (ACW), currently chaired by the Embassy of Vietnam in the United States, this session will provide an opportunity to exchange views with ASEAN Ambassadors on tariffs, trade agreements, and regional economic cooperation. Following the roundtable, I will moderate a EO Fireside Chat with Anthony Capuano, CEO of Marriott International, and Jeffrey Perlman, President & CEO of Warburg Pincus, discussing the global economic outlook, supply chain resilience, and AI’s impact on workforce models. A senior Member of Congress has been invited to deliver keynote remarks. Please contact Andrew Koch (akoch@usasean.org) for more information.
U.S.–ASEAN Economic Engagement & Networking Reception with Members of Congress (December 9)
A high-level bipartisan roundtable with invited Members of Congress, followed by a networking reception. This dialogue will explore legislative priorities shaping U.S. trade and investment strategy in Southeast Asia. Confirmed Congressional representatives: Ed Case(D-HI) and Young Kim (R-CA). Note, roundtable open to board only, with reception being open to Chairman’s Council members. Please contact Andrew Koch (akoch@usasean.org) for more information.
COUNCIL IN THE NEWS
I highly recommend the first article, covering our “US Business for Indonesia” special project:
Investing in Indonesia’s Future: The Transformational Impact of U.S. Businesses - The Jakarta Post
US firms raise alarm over Philippine data localization plan - Manila Bulletin
Minister of Foreign Affairs welcomes U.S.-ASEAN Business Council delegation
From Arizona to Milan, Jakarta Builds a Global Investment and Cultural Bridge – CNBC Indonesia
