1. The AEM – United States Trade Representative (AEM-USTR) Consultation was held on 20 September 2024 in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The Consultation was cochaired by H.E. Malaithong KOMMASITH, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Lao PDR, and Ms. Sarah ELLERMAN, Assistant United States Trade Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, representing H.E. Katherine Tai, United States Trade Representative, United States of America (U.S.). The Meeting welcomed the participation of H.E. Filipus Nino Pereira, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste as an observer.
2. The Meeting noted that according to ASEAN’s preliminary statistics, the total two-way merchandise trade reached USD 395.9 billion in 2023. The inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) from the United States into ASEAN was at USD 74.3 billion in 2023. The United States remains ASEAN’s largest source of foreign direct investment and ASEAN’s second largest trading partner.

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