Vietnam has called for enhanced collaboration between ASEAN and the United States in key areas such as trade, artificial intelligence, digital technology, and energy transition. This call was made during the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference with the US, which took place in Manila. Vietnamese Foreign Minister Lê Hoài Trung emphasized the importance of these domains and urged both sides to finalize a comprehensive work program swiftly.
During his address, Trung welcomed the United States’ commitment to peace, stability, and development in the region. He proposed that cooperation should be expanded to include critical sectors like trade and investment, the digital economy, semiconductors, science and technology, innovation, energy transition, and regional energy connectivity. Moreover, Trung urged for sustained US support in the Mekong sub-region, focusing on water management, climate change adaptation, infrastructure development, and workforce training.
On the subject of regional security, Trung stressed the need to maintain peace and resolve disputes through dialogue and adherence to international law. He appreciated the US’s continued support for ASEAN’s stance on the South China Sea and called for Washington’s help in strengthening a regional order that is open, inclusive, and rules-based, with ASEAN at its core. Addressing the situation in the Middle East, Trung advocated for increased dialogue and the restoration of safe maritime routes through the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the necessity of safeguarding freedom of navigation under international law.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to ASEAN, acknowledging Southeast Asia’s significant strategic and economic importance. Rubio assured continued US investment in areas like supply chains, the digital economy, energy security, power-grid connectivity, and civil nuclear cooperation. Both ASEAN and the United States agreed to further strengthen economic ties and expand cooperation in high-value industries.
The conference concluded with a mutual agreement to enhance people-to-people exchanges and improve coordination in addressing challenges such as terrorism, cybercrime, human trafficking, drug trafficking, and online scams. This alignment aims to deepen economic relations and tackle regional and global issues collaboratively.