What is ASEAN?

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a 10-member regional bloc with a combined GDP of $2.4 trillion, a population of 630 million, and a land mass covering more than 1.7 million square miles.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (more commonly known as ASEAN) is a political and economic organization aimed primarily at promoting economic growth and regional stability among its members. There are currently 10 member states: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was formed in 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand to promote political and economic cooperation and regional stability. Brunei joined in 1984, shortly after its independence from the United Kingdom, and Vietnam joined ASEAN as its seventh member in 1995. Laos and Burma were admitted into full membership in July 1997 as ASEAN celebrated its 30^th anniversary. Cambodia became ASEAN’s tenth member in 1999.

How large is the ASEAN economy?

Source: http://www.aseanstats.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Binder-AEC-at-a-Glance.pdf

What are some ASEAN initiatives to promote global trade?

The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint 2025 was adopted by the ASEAN leaders in 2015 as part of the ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together. The AEC Blueprint 2025 aims to strengthen and reinforce the following five

Characteristics of the ASEAN Economic Community by 2025:

(a) A Highly Integrated and Cohesive Economy;

(b) A Competitive, Innovative, and Dynamic ASEAN;

(d) A Resilient, Inclusive and People-Oriented, People-Centred ASEAN; and

(e) A Global ASEAN

Source: Adapted from https://www.aseanstats.org/

The United States and ASEAN Trade Investment Facts

The United States and ASEAN maintain a strong trade relationship. U.S. goods and services trade with ASEAN countries totaled $241.7 billion in 2013. Exports totaled $100.5 billion; Imports totaled $141.2 billion. The U.S. goods and services trade deficit with ASEAN countries was $40.7 billion in 2013.

The ASEAN countries, together, would rank as U.S 5th largest supplier of imports in 2013.
The top 5 ASEAN import suppliers in 2013 were Malaysia ($27.3 billion), Thailand ($26.2 billion), Vietnam ($24.7 billion), Indonesia ($18.9 billion), and Singapore ($17.9 billion). The five largest categories in 2012 were: Electrical Machinery ($30.8 billion), Machinery ($17.8 billion), Knit Apparel ($11.0 billion), Woven Apparel ($7.3 billion), and Rubber ($6.0 billion).

The top 5 ASEAN export markets in 2013 were Singapore ($30.7 billion), Malaysia ($13.0 billion), Thailand ($11.8 billion), Indonesia ($9.1 billion), and Philippines ($8.4 billion). The top export categories (2-digit HS) in 2013 were: Electrical Machinery ($15.6 billion), Machinery ($10.5 billion), Aircraft ($9.9 billion), Mineral Fuel and Oil ($5.1 billion), and Optic and Medical Instruments ($4.8 billion).

Source: https://ustr.gov/issue-areas/trade-organizations/association-southeast-asian-nations-asean/us-asean-10-trade-and