The East-West Center has released the seventh edition of its publication “ASEAN Matters for America/America Matters for ASEAN,” a collaborative effort with the US-ASEAN Business Council and the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. The report was launched on December 2 at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, DC, highlighting the critical role of Congress in deepening U.S. ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). n nThe updated edition provides comprehensive data and analysis on the economic, diplomatic, and cultural linkages between the United States and ASEAN nations. It underscores ASEAN’s rapidly expanding digital economy and its strategic importance in global semiconductor supply chains. In 2024 alone, U.S. technology firms pledged at least $29 billion in new investments focused on data centers and digital infrastructure across the region. n nBilateral trade in goods and services between the U.S. and ASEAN reached $553 billion annually. ASEAN ranks as the fourth-largest export destination for American products, trailing only Canada, Mexico, and China, while the U.S. is ASEAN’s second-largest trading partner after China. These economic ties support over 714,000 jobs in the United States. Additionally, ASEAN tourists contribute $6.9 billion annually to the U.S. economy, and students from the region add over $2.1 billion through educational spending. n nA key focus of the report is the U.S.-ASEAN partnership in semiconductor manufacturing. ASEAN countries supply 45% of all U.S. chip imports and are the leading market for American-made semiconductor exports, making the region vital to global tech supply chains. n nThe Capitol Hill event gathered around 60 attendees, including congressional members, government officials, private sector leaders, and regional experts. Opening remarks were delivered by Celeste Connors of the East-West Center, Amb. Brian McFeeters of the US-ASEAN Business Council, and Choi Shing Kwok of ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. Keynote speeches were given by Hunt VanderToll, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Southeast Asia at the State Department, and Tan Sri Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob, Malaysia’s ambassador to the U.S. n nVanderToll emphasized President Trump’s reaffirmation of ASEAN as a key partner in commerce, security, and regional stability during recent summits. Ambassador Yaakob described ASEAN as central to the Indo-Pacific’s future, deeply connected to American prosperity and values. n nCongressional representatives Ami Bera, Ed Case, and Young Kim stressed that robust U.S.-ASEAN relations are essential for 21st-century leadership. Representative Kim stated that stronger trade and security ties are not optional but fundamental to national interests. n nThe event also featured a fireside chat moderated by Dr. Satu Limaye, with Barbara Weisel of the Carnegie Endowment and Mario Masaya of the US-ASEAN Business Council discussing regional dynamics. n nThe full report is accessible via the Asia Matters for America website, serving as a resource for policymakers, businesses, and the public. Funding and input were provided by members of the US-ASEAN Business Council. n
— News Original —nEast-West Center Launches Seventh Edition of Publication on US-ASEAN Economic and Strategic Ties n nWASHINGTON, DC (Dec. 16, 2025) — The East-West Center launched the seventh edition of its ASEAN Matters for America/America Matters for ASEAN publication at the Rayburn House Office Building on December 2nd, underscoring Congress’s important role in strengthening the US relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). View photos from the event on Flickr. n nA collaboration between the East-West Center, the US-ASEAN Business Council, and the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, the publication examines the deep and growing ties between the United States and ASEAN, featuring insightful infographics, data, and analysis of economic, diplomatic, and cultural interactions as well as impacts at the national, state, and local levels. n nHunt VanderToll, the Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for Southeast Asia and ASEAN Affairs at the US Department of State, said: “During his meetings with ASEAN leaders, President Trump underscored the importance of the region as home to critical allies and partners in commerce, security, peace and stability, and reaffirmed our shared commitment to addressing regional and global challenges. He also reaffirmed the US’s intention to remain a strong friend and partner of ASEAN for generations to come, including through our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN.” n nThe launch event on Capitol Hill brought together 60 guests, including members of Congress and their staff, US government officials, private sector representatives, regional experts, and members of the public to celebrate the deep and rich partnerships between the United States and the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. n nOpening remarks were delivered by Amb. Brian McFeeters, Interim President and CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council; Choi Shing Kwok, Director and Chief Executive Officer of the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute; and Celeste Connors, President of the East-West Center. DAS VanderToll and His Excellency Tan Sri Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob, Ambassador of Malaysia to the United States, gave keynote speeches. n n“Why does ASEAN matter to the US? The answer is actually very simple: it is the linchpin to the Indo-Pacific’s future… a future that is inextricably linked to American security, prosperity, and core values,” said His Excellency Tan Sri Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob. n nRepresentative Ami Bera (CA-6), Representative Ed Case (HI-1), and Representative Young Kim (CA-40) also offered congressional perspectives on the US-ASEAN relationship in their remarks. “Stronger trade, security and diplomatic ties with ASEAN are not optional,” said Representative Kim, “These are essential to American prosperity and leadership in the 21st century.” n nThe launch also included a fireside chat with Barbara Weisel, Nonresident Scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Mario Masaya, Vice President of Research, Technology and Financial Services at the US-ASEAN Business Council. It was moderated by Dr. Satu Limaye, Vice President of the East-West Center. n nThe seventh edition of ASEAN Matters brings to light updated key facts and figures that underpin the US-ASEAN relationship. These include: n nThe United States and ASEAN bilateral trade in goods and services totals $553 billion annually; n nASEAN is the 4th largest export market for American goods after Canada, Mexico, and China, and the United States is ASEAN’s 2nd largest trading partner after China; n nASEAN trade and investment supports over 714,000 jobs across the United States; n nASEAN visitors add $6.9 billion to the US economy annually; ASEAN students contribute over $2.1 billion to the US economy annually. n nThe new edition also highlights ASEAN’s booming digital economy and data centers as a focus of long-term foreign investment in the region, attracting pledges of at least $29 billion in new investments from US technology giants in 2024 alone. It also delves into the US-ASEAN partnership in semiconductor chips as critical for supply chains and consumers, discussing how ASEAN countries supply nearly half (45%) of all US chip imports and are the top importers of US semiconductor chips. n nThe new ASEAN Matters for America/America Matters for ASEAN edition is available on the Asia Matters for America website. n nUS-ASEAN Business Council members contributed toward this initiative: n nA collaboration with the US-ASEAN Business Council and ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, newest edition highlights Southeast Asia’s booming digital economy and critical partnership with the United States on semiconductor chip technology. n nWASHINGTON, DC (Dec. 16, 2025) — The East-West Center launched the seventh edition of its ASEAN Matters for America/America Matters for ASEAN publication at the Rayburn House Office Building on December 2nd, underscoring Congress’s important role in strengthening the US relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). View photos from the event on Flickr. n nA collaboration between the East-West Center, the US-ASEAN Business Council, and the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, the publication examines the deep and growing ties between the United States and ASEAN, featuring insightful infographics, data, and analysis of economic, diplomatic, and cultural interactions as well as impacts at the national, state, and local levels. n nHunt VanderToll, the Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for Southeast Asia and ASEAN Affairs at the US Department of State, said: “During his meetings with ASEAN leaders, President Trump underscored the importance of the region as home to critical allies and partners in commerce, security, peace and stability, and reaffirmed our shared commitment to addressing regional and global challenges. He also reaffirmed the US’s intention to remain a strong friend and partner of ASEAN for generations to come, including through our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN.” n nThe launch event on Capitol Hill brought together 60 guests, including members of Congress and their staff, US government officials, private sector representatives, regional experts, and members of the public to celebrate the deep and rich partnerships between the United States and the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. n nOpening remarks were delivered by Amb. Brian McFeeters, Interim President and CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council; Choi Shing Kwok, Director and Chief Executive Officer of the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute; and Celeste Connors, President of the East-West Center. DAS VanderToll and His Excellency Tan Sri Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob, Ambassador of Malaysia to the United States, gave keynote speeches. n n“Why does ASEAN matter to the US? The answer is actually very simple: it is the linchpin to the Indo-Pacific’s future… a future that is inextricably linked to American security, prosperity, and core values,” said His Excellency Tan Sri Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob. n nRepresentative Ami Bera (CA-6), Representative Ed Case (HI-1), and Representative Young Kim (CA-40) also offered congressional perspectives on the US-ASEAN relationship in their remarks. “Stronger trade, security and diplomatic ties with ASEAN are not optional,” said Representative Kim, “These are essential to American prosperity and leadership in the 21st century.” n nThe launch also included a fireside chat with Barbara Weisel, Nonresident Scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Mario Masaya, Vice President of Research, Technology and Financial Services at the US-ASEAN Business Council. It was moderated by Dr. Satu Limaye, Vice President of the East-West Center. n nThe seventh edition of ASEAN Matters brings to light updated key facts and figures that underpin the US-ASEAN relationship. These include: n nThe United States and ASEAN bilateral trade in goods and services totals $553 billion annually; n nASEAN is the 4th largest export market for American goods after Canada, Mexico, and China, and the United States is ASEAN’s 2nd largest trading partner after China; n nASEAN trade and investment supports over 714,000 jobs across the United States; n nASEAN visitors add $6.9 billion to the US economy annually; ASEAN students contribute over $2.1 billion to the US economy annually. n nThe new edition also highlights ASEAN’s booming digital economy and data centers as a focus of long-term foreign investment in the region, attracting pledges of at least $29 billion in new investments from US technology giants in 2024 alone. It also delves into the US-ASEAN partnership in semiconductor chips as critical for supply chains and consumers, discussing how ASEAN countries supply nearly half (45%) of all US chip imports and are the top importers of US semiconductor chips. n nThe new ASEAN Matters for America/America Matters for ASEAN edition is available on the Asia Matters for America website. n nUS-ASEAN Business Council members contributed toward this initiative: