During the 59th Meeting of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers in Manila, Philippines both ASEAN and US have signed a new Post-Ministerial Conference Comprehensive Work Plan to implement the ASEAN-US Leaders’ Joint Vision Statement for five years.  The roadmap will shape the cooperation to 2031 and will be centered on regional security, economic integration, resilience of the supply chains, clean energy …

As a major initiative to reinvent international trade the United States has agreed to new trade agreements with other eastern countries (European Union, Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines). According to President Donald Trump, who confirmed the deals late in July, these arrangements will affect the major sectors of economy including agriculture and automotive production, and will change the terms of …

According to Wall Street Journal research published Friday, China now tells its AI research leads and business owners not to travel to America because of security threats. Chinese security officials worry that taking AI experts abroad risks revealing national technology secrets. Government officials are also worried that executives could face detention and become trade negotiation leverage, just as US-China talks …

Asean – The White House announced on Thursday that K-pop idols BTS would visit the White House next week to discuss hate crimes against Asians and people of Asian descent with US President Joe Biden. On Tuesday, Biden will host the worldwide musical sensation and will “explore Asian inclusion and representation, as well as anti-Asian hate crimes and prejudice, which …

South Korea – As worry about a North Korean nuclear test rises, US President Joe Biden landed in South Korea on May 20 for his first Asia tour as US leader, with the goal of strengthening relations with regional security partners. Biden wants the visit to draw on recent actions that have accelerated the US‘s years-long pivot to Asia, where …

Malaysia – The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, met with top executives from big American corporations. Microsoft, Google, Tesla, Boeing, IBM, Texas Instruments, GE Aviation, ConocoPhillips, Ford, National Instruments, Infineon, Micron, and Insulet were among the firms who participated. During the hotel’s meet and greet business session, Ismail Sabri interacted with them. The prime minister came …

Malaysia – Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob today encouraged the US to pursue a more aggressive trade and investment strategy with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), claiming that doing so would benefit Washington both economically and diplomatically. Ismail Sabri expressed some of the displeasure felt in Asia after former President Donald Trump exited a regional …

China – Following reports about the Russian soldiers who are encountering stiff opposition in Ukraine, the chief of the United States’ intelligence community has given a hint that China is now growing more apprehensive about taking a military action against Taiwan. Avril Haines, who is the Director of National Intelligence, said on Tuesday before the Senate Armed Services Committee that …

ASEAN – The leaders of Japan and Thailand announced a new defence agreement today as well as plans to upgrade their economic relations, as Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida wrapped up the last leg of a three-nation tour of Southeast Asia. The agreement would facilitate the transfer of defence hardware and technology from Japan to Thailand, which has one of …

ASEAN – Officials said a group of foreign policy advisers to South Korea’s president-elect met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Tuesday in an effort to restore long-strained relations between the two US allies. At a time when both countries confront dangers from North Korea, Yoon Suk-yeol, who took over as South Korea’s president on May 10, has announced …