US reaffirms commitment to ASEAN ahead of Malaysia's key regional engagements

KUALA LUMPUR: The United States (US) has reaffirmed its firm support for ASEAN's central role in regional affairs and expressed readiness to work closely with Malaysia, as the ASEAN Chair for 2025, ahead of a series of high-level ASEAN-related meetings to be hosted by the country later this year.

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The US remains committed to ASEAN and backs Malaysia's leadership as 2025 Chair.
Ambassador Kagan says regional ties with China dont exclude strong US partnerships.
US-Malaysia trade ties are solid, with both sides keen to expand economic cooperation.

US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard D. Kagan said Washington remains deeply invested in its engagement with ASEAN and is committed to working closely with Malaysia, particularly in the context of its ASEAN Chairmanship.

"We expect to engage effectively in upcoming ASEAN-related engagements," Kagan told reporters during a press conference at his residence on Friday.

The US has been an ASEAN Dialogue Partner since the bloc's founding in 1967 and has consistently supported its development.

Kagan emphasised that the US intends to engage at the appropriate level and acknowledged Malaysia's strong track record as an effective leader in ASEAN.

He praised Malaysia's longstanding and effective leadership within ASEAN, highlighting the country's consistent efforts in advancing the region's priorities and upholding the bloc's centrality.

Meanwhile, Kagan dismissed claims that Southeast Asian nations are shifting closer to Beijing following recent US tariffs and China's growing regional diplomacy, including President Xi Jinping's April visits to Malaysia, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

"Countries in the region make their own decisions. They have long had strong ties with both the United States and China. We don't view those ties as mutually exclusive," he said.

The ambassador pointed to the robust US-Malaysia economic relationship as proof of Washington's continued engagement in the region, citing Malaysia's significant export volume to the US and the presence of American companies as evidence of deepening economic ties.

"Exports to the US are extremely important, and I think that if people had questions about that, they have been reminded in recent months," he said.

Kagan also expressed confidence in the ongoing bilateral trade negotiations between the two countries, commending Malaysia's professionalism and commitment.

"I just had the pleasure of seeing MITI Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz. We had a detailed conversation, and I've been very impressed with the seriousness with which Malaysia has approached the trade negotiations.

"There's a lot that we can do. I think the relationship is strong, but it can be stronger," he added, calling for continued good-faith engagement by both governments to further expand trade and economic opportunities.

-- BERNAMA