Consultations between the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) and the United States Trade Representative (“the Ministers”) were held yesterday in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The Consultations were co-chaired by H.E. Cham Prasidh, Senior Minister and Minister of Commerce, Cambodia, and Ambassador Ron Kirk, the United States Trade Representative.

ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan said that ASEAN was the growth centre of the world. “ASEAN is the market. ASEAN is the opportunity.”

<p >Drawing from United States’ data, total goods trade between ASEAN and the United States in 2011 showed a 9.2% increase in 2011, growing from $178 billion to $194 billion last year. ASEAN imports from the United States increased by 8.6% to US$76.4 billion while ASEAN exports increased 9.8% to US$118.2 billion in 2011. The United States remained the fourth largest trading partner of ASEAN and, collectively, ASEAN is the fifth largest goods trading partner of the United States. <p >To see the full Joint Media Statement, please click here.

To see the pictures from the 44th ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Meeting and Related Meetings, please click here.