SIEM REAP – The first US official to visit Southeast Asia since the imposition of sweeping tariffs on regional exports has defended President Donald Trump’s foreign policy stance, emphasising a commitment to security and economic cooperation.
Sean O’Neill, Senior Bureau Official for East Asian and Pacific Affairs at the US State Department, is in Cambodia this week to co-chair the 37th ASEAN-US Dialogue, held in the historic city of Siem Reap. The two-day summit brings together the United States and representatives of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to discuss regional and global priorities amid rising trade tensions.
Although O’Neill made no direct mention of the newly imposed tariffs—some as high as 49% on Cambodian goods—he reaffirmed the administration’s broader foreign policy goals.
“President Trump’s priorities are clear. We will pursue a foreign policy that makes America safer, stronger, and more prosperous,” O’Neill said. “My goal here is to represent the interests of the American people.”
The US has faced criticism in Southeast Asia following the implementation of protectionist trade measures under Trump’s “America First” policy. ASEAN members, including Cambodia, have expressed concern over how these actions could affect regional stability and economic growth.
According to the US Trade Representative’s Office, American imports from ASEAN nations reached US$352 billion last year, resulting in a trade deficit of US$228 billion. Cambodia’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Kung Phoak, co-chairing the meeting, noted that the dialogue is a chance to strengthen ties.
“We must remain firmly committed to promoting mutually beneficial cooperation,” he said, urging more meaningful engagement between both sides.
The US State Department described the dialogue as part of broader efforts to reinforce cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, focusing on shared goals of “freedom, openness, safety, security, and prosperity.”
O’Neill’s visit to Cambodia follows a stop in Vietnam and will continue with an official trip to Japan in the coming days.