The relationship between the US and the Asean states is of particular importance, said Biden on Tuesday at a switch with the member countries of the alliance. “You can expect me to show up in person and get in touch with you,” he said.
Trump had not attended the summit for three years in a row. During the Republican’s tenure, the US lost political clout in the Asia-Pacific region. The Democrat Biden, on the other hand, pays special attention to the region in his foreign policy in order to counter China’s growing striving for power there.
Biden announced, among other things, new initiatives and projects between the US and the Asean states totaling more than 100 million US dollars, including on health policy, climate protection and education. The Asean Association consists of ten countries that work together primarily in economic, social and cultural areas – including Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.