Assistant Secretary for Economic and Business Affairs, Ramin Toloui, recently completed a diplomatic tour from April 22 to May 3. His journey spanned Japan, the Republic of Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines, Singapore, California, and New York. The objective of his travel was to bolster bilateral relationships and promote trade and economic opportunities with these nations.
In Japan, Toloui interacted with government representatives, academics, and private sector professionals. They discussed economic security and prosperity issues such as strengthening supply chain early warning systems, G7 coordination, semiconductor supply chains, and economic resilience.
During his visit to the Republic of Korea, he met with government counterparts and private sector representatives to deliberate on economic security, supply chains, and semiconductors. He also engaged with SK On—a prominent Korean battery manufacturer with investments in the United States.
In Vietnam, Toloui explored the semiconductor ecosystem at various locations including Saigon Hi-Tech Park, Intel Vietnam, Vietnam National University of Ho Chi Minh City, Fulbright University Vietnam, and Marvell Technology. He also held meetings with Vietnamese counterparts to enhance the U.S.-Vietnam economic partnership under the CHIPS and Science Act’s International Technology Security Innovation Fund.
While in the Philippines he met with government officials and private sector experts to assess regional economic trends. Topics covered included semiconductor supply chains and promoting economic resilience. He emphasized expanding cooperation under the CHIPS Act's International Technology Security Innovation Fund. Furthermore, he discussed advancing the Luzon Economic Corridor announced at the April 11 U.S.-Japan-Philippines Trilateral Leaders’ Summit as part of the PGI-IPEF Investment Accelerator.
His visit to Singapore involved touring a GlobalFoundries semiconductor fabrication plant. He also met with members of the Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association on semiconductor and supply chain issues. At the National University of Singapore he participated in a roundtable discussion on regional matters.
Toloui's domestic engagements began in San Francisco, California. He joined Secretary Blinken and technology industry stakeholders to discuss the U.S. led UN AI resolution on investment principles. His engagements included discussions on trust, safety, and security in advanced technologies such as AI, quantum computing, and biotechnology. In Los Angeles, he joined industry leaders at the Milken Global Conference to explore areas of cooperation between industry, academia, international organizations, and governments.
His final stop was New York where he attended the World Economic Forum. There he met with government and private sector partners to discuss the Biden-Harris Administration’s agenda to revitalize American manufacturing and infrastructure.
For further information regarding Toloui's diplomatic tour, please contact the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs Media Team at EB-Press-Inquiry@state.gov.
