During the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference with the United States in Manila, Vietnam called for enhanced collaboration between ASEAN and the US in several critical sectors, including trade, artificial intelligence, digital technology, and energy transition. Vietnamese Foreign Minister Lê Hoài Trung highlighted the significance of Washington’s commitment to the region’s peace, stability, and development, urging both parties to swiftly finalize a new comprehensive work program.
Trung advocated for expanding partnerships in pivotal areas such as trade and investment, the digital economy, semiconductors, science and technology, innovation, energy transition, and regional energy connectivity. He also emphasized the importance of continued US support for the Mekong sub-region, focusing on water management, climate change adaptation, infrastructure development, and workforce training.
On the topic of regional security, Trung underscored the necessity of maintaining peace and resolving disputes through dialogue and adherence to international law. He expressed appreciation for the US’s ongoing support for ASEAN’s stance on the South China Sea and called on Washington to aid in reinforcing an open, inclusive, and rules-based regional order centered on ASEAN.
Addressing issues in the Middle East, Trung stressed the need for increased dialogue and the restoration of safe maritime routes through the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing the importance of preserving freedom of navigation under international law. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed the US’s backing of ASEAN, describing Southeast Asia as a region of significant strategic and economic value. He committed to continued US investments in supply chains, the digital economy, energy security, power-grid connectivity, and civil nuclear cooperation.
In addition, ASEAN and the United States concurred on deepening economic ties, broadening cooperation in high-value industries, enhancing people-to-people exchanges, and improving coordination in addressing challenges such as terrorism, cybercrime, human trafficking, drug trafficking, and online scams.