Chairman Yoho on the hearing: “2017 is a momentous year for U.S.-ASEAN relations, the 50th anniversary of ASEAN’s founding and the 40th Anniversary of U.S.-ASEAN engagement. The nations of ASEAN – Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam – include critical U.S. treaty allies as well as important emerging partners. This year’s milestone marks decades of intensifying cooperation with these nations, and the U.S.-ASEAN relationship will continue to grow stronger. However, uncertainties about President Trump’s ASEAN engagement linger over this anniversary, as the new administration is still shaping its policies and tensions in the region have monopolized the U.S. focus on Asia. In this hearing, the Subcommittee will question an expert panel on their advice for U.S. policy towards ASEAN, and work towards recommendations for the administration to consider as their policies are formed.”

Opening Statements

Chairman Yoho’s opening statement

Witnesses

Amy Searight, Ph.D.
Senior Adviser and Director
Southeast Asia Program
Center for Strategic and International Studies
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

Mr. Walter Lohman
Director
Asian Studies Center
The Heritage Foundation
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

Zachary M. Abuza, Ph.D.
Professor
National War College
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

____________________________

Hearing transcript (PDF)