Prime Minister proposes four major orientations at the 13th ASEAN-US Summit

The Prime Minister stressed that ASEAN and the US share interests and responsibilities in maintaining peace and stability in the region, including the East Sea, for the benefit of all countries and people in the region.

According to the VNA special correspondent, on the afternoon of October 26th at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Malaysia, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, along with leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and US President Donald Trump, attended the 13th ASEAN-US Summit.

Speaking at the Conference, ASEAN leaders highly appreciated the role and positive contributions of the United States to regional cooperation through ASEAN-led mechanisms, especially in promoting dialogue and building trust for peace and stability in the region.

ASEAN leaders particularly appreciated President Donald Trump's commitment, efforts, and role in promoting dialogue and cooperation among countries, through his support for negotiations to reduce tensions and the negotiation and signing of the Peace Declaration between Thailand and Cambodia in Kuala Lumpur on October 26, 2025.

Leaders assessed that ASEAN-US relations continue to develop strongly, comprehensively, and effectively across various fields. Two-way trade is projected to exceed US$453 billion in 2024, accounting for 11.8% of ASEAN's total trade. The United States is currently ASEAN's second-largest trading partner and the largest source of foreign direct investment.

In particular, ASEAN and the United States have finalized the 2021-2025 Action Plan with numerous cooperation programs and projects in areas such as political -security, combating transnational crime, maritime security, trade, investment, transportation, agriculture, science and technology, etc.

The United States has also supported ASEAN in completing the study of the next-generation ASEAN Single Window (ASW 2.0) and will continue to provide technical support in the operation of this system.

The countries affirmed their commitment to continue effectively implementing commitments, programs, and cooperation initiatives to further deepen the ASEAN-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with a priority focus on strategic cooperation areas such as high-quality trade and investment, finance, infrastructure connectivity, digital economy, energy, and ensuring a healthy cybersecurity environment, for a peaceful, secure, stable, and prosperous region.

At the conference, US President Donald Trump affirmed that Southeast Asia holds a crucial position in US policy in the Indo-Pacific and that the US will continue to be a partner and friend of the countries in the region. The US desires to further deepen its partnership with ASEAN, not only in economics, trade, energy, technology, artificial intelligence (AI), etc., but also for the goals of peace, stability, and prosperity for all countries in the region, for the benefit of its people and future generations.

President Trump affirmed that the United States is ready to cooperate with and support ASEAN in addressing common challenges, while respecting the Association's central role and the legitimate interests of its member states.

Speaking at the Conference, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh congratulated President Donald Trump on the outstanding achievements of the United States in recent times; he highly appreciated the President's diplomatic efforts in promoting dialogue processes and peacefully resolving conflicts around the world, especially in working with this year's ASEAN Chair, Malaysia, and other ASEAN member states to support Cambodia and Thailand in dialogue and negotiations to sign a Joint Declaration between the two sides.

Recognizing the United States as one of ASEAN's most comprehensive strategic partners, with strong commitments to enhancing cooperation between the two sides, the Prime Minister proposed four major directions to promote strong, substantive, and effective ASEAN-US cooperation in the coming period.

Specifically, both sides will promote economic, trade, and investment connectivity, working towards a balanced, harmonious, and sustainable trade relationship. They will also strengthen cooperation in digital transformation, innovation, and energy security, including energy infrastructure connectivity and cooperation in nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

Strengthening cybersecurity and combating transnational crime, including the US initiative on combating online fraud and Vietnam's initiative on improving the effectiveness of apprehending wanted criminals, provides a basis for ASEAN and the US to enhance cooperation in this field. This strengthens cooperation and maintains regional peace, security, and stability.

The Prime Minister emphasized that ASEAN and the United States share interests and responsibilities in maintaining peace, stability, security, and development in the region, including the South China Sea, for the benefit of all countries and people in the region.

The Prime Minister emphasized ASEAN's principled stance on the South China Sea, including the peaceful resolution of disputes on the basis of international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

At the conclusion of the Summit, ASEAN and US leaders adopted the “ASEAN-US Joint Vision Statement on a Stronger, Safer, and More Prosperous Region,” which will serve as a strategic guideline for cooperation in the new phase.

(VNA/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/thu-tuong-de-xuat-4-dinh-huong-lon-tai-hoi-nghi-cap-cao-asean-hoa-ky-lan-thu-13-post1072845.vnp