Congressman Joaquin Castro (Photo: castro.house.gov) Washington D.C (VNA) – US congressman JoaquinCastro from Texas and congresswoman Ann Wagner from Missouri have jointly formeda congressional caucus devoted to issues related to Southeast Asia, aiming tostrengthen relations between the US and ASEAN.
According to the website “Insidertrade.com”, the caucus willfocus on important matters to the security and economic interest of the US inthe relationship with Southeast Asian countries.
In their speeches, the two congresspersons highlighted thatthe 10 ASEAN member countries represent the world’s seventh largest economy andthe third biggest labour force.
“The Congress must recognise the need for enhanced dialoguewith our Southeast Asian peers,” they said, expressing hope that thecongressional caucus on Southeast Asia will help increase the US administrationand congress’ attention toward ASEAN.
The US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) has voiced support for theestablishment of the caucus. USABC President and CEOAlexander Feldman noted thatASEAN is the fourth largest export market of the US, and nearly 400,000 Americanjobs depend on trade with ASEAN.
After decades of promoting trade liberalisation, ASEAN on aper capita basis currently buys almost twice as many American-made exports asChina and over nine times as much as India, he said.
The importance of this market will only grow in the decades to comes, as 65percent of ASEAN’s 640 million people are under 35 – making it not only one ofthe world’s fastest growing markets but the youngest of the world’s top 10largest economies, he added.-VNA
According to the website “Insidertrade.com”, the caucus willfocus on important matters to the security and economic interest of the US inthe relationship with Southeast Asian countries.
In their speeches, the two congresspersons highlighted thatthe 10 ASEAN member countries represent the world’s seventh largest economy andthe third biggest labour force.
“The Congress must recognise the need for enhanced dialoguewith our Southeast Asian peers,” they said, expressing hope that thecongressional caucus on Southeast Asia will help increase the US administrationand congress’ attention toward ASEAN.
The US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) has voiced support for theestablishment of the caucus. USABC President and CEOAlexander Feldman noted thatASEAN is the fourth largest export market of the US, and nearly 400,000 Americanjobs depend on trade with ASEAN.
After decades of promoting trade liberalisation, ASEAN on aper capita basis currently buys almost twice as many American-made exports asChina and over nine times as much as India, he said.
The importance of this market will only grow in the decades to comes, as 65percent of ASEAN’s 640 million people are under 35 – making it not only one ofthe world’s fastest growing markets but the youngest of the world’s top 10largest economies, he added.-VNA
VNA
