Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will embark on a diplomatic tour to Vietnam, Laos, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, and Mongolia from July 24 to August 3, 2024. This marks his 18th trip to the Indo-Pacific region since assuming office. The visit aims to reinforce U.S. alliances and partnerships in the region, focusing on security and prosperity.
In Vietnam, Secretary Blinken will attend the funeral of General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng and express condolences on behalf of the United States. He will also emphasize the strength of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnamese officials in Hanoi.
During his visit to Laos, Secretary Blinken will participate in several key ministerial meetings including the ASEAN-U.S. Post Ministerial Conference, the 14th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and the 31st ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. He will underscore U.S. commitment to ASEAN centrality and support for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. Discussions will cover economic cooperation, climate change, adherence to international law in the South China Sea, and Russia’s war against Ukraine. Additionally, he will engage with Lao PDR officials to support their ASEAN Chair Year theme “Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience” and co-chair the Third Mekong-U.S. Partnership Foreign Ministers’ Meeting alongside Lao PDR Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith.
In Japan, Secretary Blinken along with Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III will meet Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko and Defense Minister Kihara Minoru for a Foreign and Defense Ministerial (2+2) Dialogue. They aim to strengthen bilateral cooperation and extended deterrence bolstered by Japan’s defense capabilities. Additionally, a Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting involving Australia, India, Japan, and the U.S. is scheduled in Tokyo.
The visit to the Philippines includes a 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue with Philippine counterparts Enrique Manalo and Gilberto Teodoro—marking the first such dialogue in Manila—to discuss shared challenges including those in the South China Sea as well as economic agendas.
In Singapore, meetings are planned with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan focusing on security objectives and technological cooperation through initiatives like the U.S.-Singapore Critical and Emerging Technology Dialogue.
Finally in Mongolia, Secretary Blinken will reaffirm commitments under the U.S.-Mongolia Strategic Partnership during discussions aimed at strengthening democratic institutions and expanding economic ties.
Throughout these engagements across six countries in ten days, Secretary Blinken seeks to demonstrate unwavering U.S commitment towards its Indo-Pacific allies.
