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US, ASEAN Eye March Special Summit to Boost Ties

Nike Ching

   The United States and 10 nations from the Association of Southeast
   Asian Nations (ASEAN) are eyeing a special summit in March to boost
   ties at a time when analysts say China continues to expand its
   influence in Southeast Asia, while driving a wedge between Washington
   and some of its traditional allies in the region.
   Washington is gearing up for the summit set for March 14 in Las Vegas.
   Bilateral meetings between U.S. President Donald Trump and ASEAN
   leaders are also being planned.

   "The most important aspect of the U.S.-ASEAN relationship is really
   high-level dialogue," said James Carafano, the Heritage Foundation's
   vice president for national security. "If American voices aren't there,
   particularly the senior voices -- the president, cabinet secretaries --
   we just can't be as effective. Both sides can't really benefit from the
   relationship."

   Trump attended the annual gathering with ASEAN leaders and the
   accompanying East Asia Summit in 2017 but skipped the regular summits
   in 2018 and 2019, sending U.S. Vice President Mike Pence to attend in
   2018, and White House National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien to
   attend in 2019. O'Brien relayed Trump's invitation to ASEAN leaders to
   come to the U.S. for a special summit last November.

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