Senior Bureau Official for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Sean O’Neill is set to visit Vietnam, Cambodia, Japan, and Hawaii from April 16 to 25. The trip aims to strengthen diplomatic ties and further mutual interests in each location.
In Vietnam, O’Neill will stop at Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. He plans to engage with senior Vietnamese government representatives to reaffirm the shared interests that underpin the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations. “Senior Bureau Official O’Neill will highlight the significant milestones achieved since the establishment of diplomatic relations 30 years ago and discuss opportunities to advance the security and prosperity of the American and Vietnamese people, including with respect to immigration and rebalancing America’s trade with Vietnam,” according to the official statement.
During his time in Siem Reap, Cambodia, O’Neill will co-chair the 37th U.S.-ASEAN Dialogue with Cambodian Secretary of State for ASEAN Kung Phoak. According to the announcement, “Senior Bureau Official O’Neill will convey the United States’ support for Malaysia’s ASEAN chair year and look for ways to reinforce how the U.S.-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership can continue to contribute to a free and open Indo-Pacific that promotes our shared interests in safety, security, and prosperity for Americans and people across Southeast Asia.”
In Japan, O’Neill will hold meetings with Japanese government officials to discuss priorities for reinforcing the alliance and economic partnerships between the United States and Japan.
Lastly, in Honolulu, O’Neill’s schedule includes consultations with U.S. military officials regarding the country's military presence in the Indo-Pacific region. These consultations aim to evaluate and strengthen the United States' strategic interests in the area.
