History Timeline
March 1984
Founding of the Council
Establishment of US-ASEAN Business Council
April 1999
Completion of the 10 ASEAN Countries
From 1984 to 1999: Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia joined ASEAN
September 2002
ASEAN Cooperation Plan
The United States announced the ASEAN Cooperation Plan (ACP), which sought to strengthen the ASEAN Secretariat, build regional capacity to address transnational challenges, and foster economic integration.
January 2005
The U.S. and ASEAN released the Joint Vision Statement on Enhanced Partnership
Joint Vision Statement on Enhanced Partnership can be found here.
August 2006
Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement was signed
The Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement (TIFA) was signed by ASEAN Economic Ministers and United States Trade Representatives (USTR) on 25 August 2006, in Kuala Lumpur and serves as a mechanism to strengthen ASEAN-US Economic ties.
August 2009
USABC’s 25th Anniversary Gala
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger at the USABC’s 25th Anniversary Gala, 2009
May 2013
USABC Business Mission to Vietnam
Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton joining the USABC Business Mission to Vietnam, 2013
June 2015
USABC Gala Dinner
Now-Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaking at the Annual Gala Dinner, 2015
November 2017
USABC Celebrates 50 Years of ASEAN
USABC Celebrates 50 Years of ASEAN and 40 Years of US-ASEAN Relations in Singapore, 2017
May 2022
ASEAN-US Summit in D.C
Amb. Ted Osius and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo speaking at the ASEAN-US Summit in D.C., 2022
May 2023
Business Forum and Reception with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos
In early May, President Joseph R. Biden welcomed Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to the White House to advance the agenda for the US-Philippines alliance. The official visit was essential in forwarding national interests and strengthening the long-standing partnership between the US and the Philippines. Both leaders reaffirmed commitments to the alliance amidst new global challenges. During the meetings, President Biden and President Marcos reviewed commitments to deepen cooperation in the areas of defense, economic ties (investment, innovation, and inclusive prosperity), education & people to people ties, human rights, clean energy & environmental protection, food security, and health, among others.
July 2024
Ambassador's Tour 2024
From July 8-12, the US-ASEAN Business Council led Ambassadors and Chargés d'affaires representing eight ASEAN nations on the annual ASEAN Ambassadors' Tour to Louisville, Kentucky; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This year’s tour itinerary centered around our host companies: Brown-Forman, GE Aerospace, P&G, TE Connectivity, and UPS. The delegation met with executives across various industries who have vested interests in ASEAN. Additionally, the Council led its delegation on a series of political, economic and cultural meetings that broadened our knowledge of American enterprise, as well as its geopolitical trajectory.
August 2024
40th Anniversary Gala Celebration in Singapore
On August 19, the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) hosted its 40th Anniversary Gala Celebration in Singapore, the first major gala held in the region since 2017. The event, with over 250 attendees, featured remarks from Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore Heng Swee Keat, U.S. Ambassador to ASEAN Yohannes Abraham, Ambassador-at-large Chan Heng Chee, and a fireside chat with former Minister of Finance of Indonesia Dr. Chatib Basri. The Council also received recorded messages from ASEAN Secretary General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia Retno Marsudi. The VIP reception ahead of the gala was co-hosted with Singapore Economic Development Board, represented by Managing Director Jacqueline Poh.