Background 

The ASEAN-US dialogue relations began in 1977. During its early stages, the dialogue relations prioritized access to commodities, market and capital; operation of transnational corporations; transfer of technology; development of energy resources; shipping; and food security. ASEAN received assistance in the establishment regional crop protection centers; forestry resources and conservation; agricultural development planning; and non-conventional energy research. 

Sustained economic growth of ASEAN economies and changes in the US' policies and priorities in development cooperation in the mid-1980s led to a decrease in official development assistance (ODA) for ASEAN. American ODA priorities shifted away from basic human needs to projects on regional cooperation and human resources development. 

During the 1990s, a program approach for extending ODA to ASEAN was adopted, focusing on trade and investment, technology transfer, and human resources development. Project selection was based on the criteria of mutuality of interests, comparative advantage, and project sustainability. These changes reflected the maturing of relations between ASEAN and the U.S. which enabled the private sector to play a key role in development cooperation and networks have been established to facilitate market-driven economic activities in ASEAN countries. 

Institutional Framework 

The U.S. participates in a series of consultative meetings with ASEAN, including the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the Post Ministerial Conferences (PMC) 10+1 and 10+10, the ASEAN Economic Minister-US Trade Representatives (AEM-USTR), the Senior Economic Officials Meeting-US Trade Representatives (SEOM-USTR), the ASEAN-US Dialogue Meeting, the Informal Coordinating Mechanism (ICM) Meeting, and the ASEAN-US Business Council. The ASEAN-Washington Committee also assists in conducting and maintaining the dialogue with the US. 

At the apex of the dialogue process is the PMC immediately following the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM). The PMC 10+1 and 10+10 meetings offer an opportunity for the U.S. Secretary of State to review contemporary political, security, economic and development cooperation issues affecting the dialogue relations with the ASEAN Foreign Ministers. The PMC with the U.S. will be held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) on 1 August 2007. 

Economic Cooperation

ASEAN region collectively constitutes the U.S.’ fourth largest trading partner and represents one of the most rapidly growing and dynamic economies in the world. On the other hand, the U.S is the top overseas market for ASEAN. As of 2005 trade between ASEAN and the United States is US$ 148.5 billion, an increase of 9.1 percent since 2004. Foreign direct investment has also continued to rise, to over $92 billion. The ASEAN Secretariat reports that the U.S. ranks second (after the European Union) in terms of overall investments to the region, amounting to USD8.75 billion in end-2005 (data as of 29 December 2006).

ASEAN Cooperation Plan (ACP) 

The ASEAN Cooperation Plan (ACP) is a U.S.-funded initiative that supports ASEAN-U.S. activities to advance cooperation in areas mutual interests. Then-Secretary Powell announced the plan in August 2002 with the aim of strengthening the ASEAN Secretariat; building regional cooperation to address transnational challenges including terrorism, human trafficking, and infectious diseases; and fostering ASEAN economic integration and development. 

Since its inception, the program has initiated over 20 projects valued at more than $9 million. It has reinforced the broader ASEAN-U.S. relationship by bringing together many different government agencies, state governments, non-government organizations (NGOs), and academics, and private sector entities. The actual projects undertaken under the ACP cover cooperation activities in the following areas: information technology, agricultural biotechnology, customs, HIV and AIDS, environment, disaster response and management, competition policy, human trafficking, and training for the ASEAN Secretariat. 

Enterprise for ASEAN Initiative (EAI)

President Bush announced the Enterprise for ASEAN Initiative (EAI) in October 2002, to strengthen US trade and investment ties with ASEAN Member Countries, both regionally and bilaterally, and to enhance its already close relationship with the US. For ASEAN, this initiative will help boost trade and redirect investment back to the ASEAN region, while ASEAN's continued growth and large regional population provide opportunities for US companies. 

Under the EAI, the U.S. offers the prospect of bilateral free trade agreements (FTA) with ASEAN Member Countries committed to economic reforms and openness. In preparation for FTA negotiations, the U.S. first assists with the development of a bilateral trade and investment framework agreement (TIFA) and supports ASEAN Member Countries' efforts to join the World Trade Organization. Since the launch of the EAI, the U.S. has concluded an FTA with Singapore and begun FTA negotiations with Thailand and Malaysia. The U.S. also has TIFAs in effect with Indonesia, the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, and Cambodia. 

On August 25, 2006 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab met with the ten ASEAN economic ministers and signed a Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement (TIFA). The ASEAN-U.S. TIFA will provide a platform for strengthening the already deep trade and investment ties between the United States and ASEAN Member Countries.

ASEAN-US Joint Declaration for Cooperation to Combat International Terrorism

ASEAN and the United States signed a Joint Declaration for Cooperation to Combat International Terrorism in August 2002 in Brunei Darussalam. The three areas covered are: support for ASEAN integration, cooperation on transnational issues including terrorism, and strengthen the ASEAN Secretariat, in Jakarta, Indonesia. In pursuance to the signed joint declaration, an ASEAN-US Work Plan on Counter-Terrorism was endorsed in principle. It focused on information sharing, capacity building and border control. Under the ASEAN-US work plan, the Preparatory Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) for the 4th AMMTC held in January 2004 in Bangkok endorsed a US inception workshop for Disaster Management project. The workshop was implemented in May 2004 in Thailand. 

The Joint Vision Statement on the ASEAN-US Enhanced Partnership

The Joint Vision Statement on the ASEAN-US Enhanced Partnership was issued on 17 November 2005 at the capitals of ASEAN member countries and Washington DC. The Joint Vision Statement sets the direction and guidelines on how to move forward the ASEAN-US relations and cooperation in all aspects - political and security, economic, social and development cooperation. The Joint Vision Statement also mandated the ASEAN Foreign Ministers and the US Secretary of State, with the assistance of senior officials, to develop a Plan of Action (PoA) to implement the Enhanced Partnership. 

Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-US Enhanced Partnership

The PoA is a five year (2006-2011) master plan to enhance ASEAN-US relations and cooperation. It will carry out joint activities that will support ASEAN integration and the realization of an ASEAN Community consisting of three pillars: political and security, economic, and socio-cultural cooperation. The Agreement was signed by ASEAN Ministers of Foreign Affairs and US State Secretary Condoleezza Rice in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia on 27 July 2006.

30th Anniversary of ASEAN-US Dialogue Relations

The 19th ASEAN-US Dialogue Meeting noted that 2007 would mark the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-U.S. dialogue partnership. The Meeting agreed to undertake joint activities to mark the occasion through various activities, including an ASEAN-U.S. Commemorative Summit to be held at a mutually acceptable agreed date and venue.