The United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) convened for their 37th annual U.S.-ASEAN Dialogue in Siem Reap, Cambodia, on April 22, 2025. The meeting was jointly chaired by Sean O’Neill, Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, and Kung Phoak, Cambodian Secretary of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
During the dialogue, Senior Bureau Official O’Neill affirmed U.S. support for Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN, highlighting the longstanding partnership with ASEAN over the past 48 years. He conveyed President Trump's commitment to ensuring the safety, security, and prosperity of U.S. citizens.
O’Neill noted that the United States continues to be the leading source of foreign direct investment in the ASEAN region. He emphasized President Trump's goal of achieving fairness and reciprocity in trade relationships. Discussions also included U.S. support for a digital economy, expanded cooperation on cybersecurity, technology development, maintaining freedom of navigation, and tackling transnational crime, including online scams and synthetic drugs. O’Neill reiterated U.S. support for Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN.
Geopolitical discussions touched on the importance of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, with a unified stance against external aggression. O’Neill emphasized close U.S.-ASEAN coordination to support Myanmar's move towards democracy, in alignment with ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus. He urged Myanmar’s military regime to halt violence, release detainees, and allow unhindered humanitarian access. The necessity of upholding navigation and overflight freedoms in the South China Sea was also stressed.
O’Neill expressed condolences for recent losses due to the March 28 earthquake in both Myanmar and Thailand, reaffirming U.S. support for humanitarian assistance during recovery.
