Dear members,
Happy new year from the Council! With significant developments taking place in Washington this month, the Council has been busy ensuring that our member companies remain well positioned to leverage Southeast Asia’s continually expanding opportunities.
Last year saw the region expanding its free trade agreement (FTA) network, which is expected to deepen trade linkages in 2025. As a bloc, ASEAN recently announced the “substantial conclusion” of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) 3.0, which includes new areas of cooperation such as the green and digital economies. Individual member states have also been active in negotiating new agreements: Vietnam signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with the UAE, the Philippines completed domestic ratification procedures for an FTA with South Korea, Indonesia initiated FTA negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and Thailand concluded landmark FTA negotiations with the EFTA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland).
Bilateral negotiations will continue to advance as ASEAN member states diversify their global trade relationships. While analysts note that the threat of tariffs and other geopolitical trends represent challenges to the region’s economic growth outlook, we expect ASEAN countries to continue their efforts to refine existing regional agreements, such as concluding both the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) and the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) Upgrade by the end of the year. Meanwhile, given initial signals about the Trump administration’s trade and foreign aid policies, ASEAN countries will likely seek to expand their engagements to a broad range of American constituency groups. The Council stands ready to contribute to these efforts to deepen U.S.-ASEAN ties.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Vietnam, a milestone close to my heart. We can expect several high-level commemorative activities from both countries this year, which will also celebrate 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War. I look forward to co-leading our next Vietnam Business Mission in March with the Council’s Regional Managing Director and Senior Vice President Ambassador Brian McFeeters to elevate the crucial role that our member companies play in strengthening U.S.-Vietnam relations.
We’ve already had a busy slate of activities in the region to kick off the new year. From January 15 to 17, Ambassador McFeeters led the Council’s first business mission of the year to the 5th ASEAN Digital Ministers (ADGMIN) Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand. The delegation consisted of 19 leading U.S. companies across the ICT, financial services, and advisory sectors.
Building on the 5th ADGMIN theme of “Secure, Innovative, Inclusive: Shaping ASEAN’s Digital Future,” the delegation shared key trends, insights, and recommendations in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data governance, and digital infrastructure. Our delegation presented these materials to the Secretary-General of ASEAN, ASEAN Digital Ministers, and ASEAN Digital Senior Officials.
Immediately following the ADGMIN mission, the Council’s Chief Representative for Malaysia Tina Jamaluddin led a Business Mission to the 28th Meeting of the ASEAN Tourism Ministers (M-ATM) in Johor Bahru. The mission brought together U.S. tourism leaders, ASEAN Tourism Ministers, and industry representatives for high-level discussions on the regional tourism landscape and sustainable growth within ASEAN.
The mission emphasized the importance of sustainable practices in the region’s tourism recovery. The Council facilitated six bilateral meetings between U.S. executives and ASEAN tourism leaders from the ASEAN Secretariat, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The delegation also delivered presentations on emerging tourism trends and the significant role that U.S. businesses play in the region’s recovery and future growth.
Looking ahead, Chairman’s Council member companies are invited to join the Council and Alex Capri on February 4 for the first Chairman’s Council Advisory Group (CCAG) Meeting of the year. Alex Capri will discuss his recent book, Techno-Nationalism: How It’s Reshaping Trade, Geopolitics, and Society, covering themes that include U.S.-China tech competition and Southeast Asia’s place in the shifting global trade landscape. Alex’s experience as a lecturer at the National University of Singapore and former Asia-Pacific Partner at KPMG will inform a timely discussion. Members are invited to stay after the presentation to hear about the Council’s strategy in 2025 and offer feedback on how the Council can better support their aims in Southeast Asia. Chairman’s Council members can register to join either virtually or in person.
We have a busy year ahead of country missions, sectoral missions, and high-level programming in Washington and Southeast Asia. I look forward to seeing you at our many events in the coming months.
Best regards,
Ted
Delegations and Envoys
From January 6 to 7, Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Dafna Rand traveled to Hanoi, Vietnam, leading the U.S. delegation to the 28th U.S.-Vietnam Human Rights Dialogue. The Assistant Secretary was joined by Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Rashad Hussain as well as congressional staff. (Source)
The Year Ahead
The Council has an exciting year ahead, with preliminary dates set for our flagship business missions and other high-level events. Please note that the following dates and programs are tentative and subject to change based on the ASEAN notional calendar and availability.
In March, we will hold our Vietnam Business Mission in Hanoi, Vietnam, co-led by Ambassador Ted Osius (ret.) and Ambassador Brian McFeeters (ret.). Our Health and Life Sciences Business Mission to Vietnam will immediately follow, also in Hanoi.
In April, we will hold our Business Mission to the ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. We will also lead a U.S. Ambassadors’ Tour in Phoenix, San Diego, and Los Angeles, which will conclude with a reception and panel discussion in Washington, D.C.
In May, we will hold our Food and Agriculture Business Mission to Indonesia and our Malaysia Business Mission in Kuala Lumpur. In June, we will hold our Business Mission to the ASEAN Directors-General of Customs Meeting in Brunei. In July, we will participate in 30th anniversary celebrations in Hanoi, Vietnam, and hold our Singapore Business Mission.
In August, we will hold our Philippines Business Mission in Manila. In September, we will hold engagements on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. We will also hold our Business Mission to the ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting and our Business Mission to the ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting, both in Malaysia.
In October, we will hold our Indonesia Business Mission and our ASEAN Secretariat Business Mission, both in Jakarta. We also hope to have a Business Mission to the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment, the location of which remains to be announced.
In the third quarter of this year, we will lead our Brunei Business Mission to Bandar Seri Begawan.
In October or November, we will lead a Business Mission to the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry Meeting in the Philippines and hold our Thailand Business Mission in Bangkok. In November, we will lead a Business Mission to the ASEAN Transport Ministers Meeting, the location of which is to be announced.
In the fourth quarter of this year, we will hold a Cambodia Business Mission in Phnom Penh and a Laos Business Mission in Vientiane.
We look forward to sharing more information on these engagements soon.
Council in the News
US trade mission urged to invest in infra, energy projects - The Manila Times
ASEAN-US economic relations in 2025: opportunities alongside challenges - Morning Express
Quan hệ kinh tế ASEAN-Mỹ năm 2025: cơ hội bên cạnh thách thức - Bao Thanh Nien
Tariffs on the agenda at US summit - The Bangkok Post
Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with US-ASEAN Business Council - ASEAN
Malaysia readies for Trump’s trade policies - The Star
Gobind to attend 5th Asean Digital Ministers’ Meeting in Bangkok - The Star
The 61st ASEAN NTOs Meeting Engages in Productive Discussion - Bernama
US Investors See No Problem with Indonesia’s BRICS Membership - Jakarta Globe
US Sees Opportunity in Prabowo’s 3 Million Housing Program - Jakarta Globe
Vietnam and PATA Forge Stronger Ties to Boost Tourism Growth - Travel and Tour World
RI confident about sustaining export surplus to US during Trump's term - Antara News
US appetite for Asean investment strong despite Trump’s proposed tariffs - Free Malaysia Today
