In a concerted effort to bolster economic ties across the Indo-Pacific region, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo is spearheading a presidential trade and investment mission to the Philippines and Thailand.
Beginning Monday, Raimondo will highlight the Philippines as a pivotal hub for regional supply chains and investment, aligning with the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy. Following her visit to the Philippines, she will proceed to Thailand for a series of meetings aimed at fostering trade cooperation.
"Our aim is to deepen economic engagement in the Indo-Pacific, home to some of the world's fastest-growing economies," Raimondo emphasized in an interview, underlining the mission's objective to enhance economic and commercial connections in the region.
The surge in security engagements between the United States and the Philippines, particularly under President Joe Biden and his counterpart Ferdinand Marcos Jr, reflects shared concerns over China's assertive actions in the South China Sea and near Taiwan.
Dispelling notions of a forced choice between China and the United States, Raimondo reiterated, "We want the United States to be the economic partner of choice." She emphasized the importance of consistent engagement and collaboration to achieve this goal.
Accompanying Raimondo are executives from 22 prominent companies, including United Airlines, Google, Black & Veatch, Visa, and Microsoft. This diverse delegation underscores the breadth of U.S. business interests in the region.
United Airlines' recent announcement of new flights from Tokyo-Narita to Cebu further highlights the growing economic connectivity between the United States and the Philippines. Raimondo expressed optimism for potential new investment announcements during the visit, paving the way for future commercial ventures.
In Thailand, discussions will center on manufacturing, supply chain resilience, artificial intelligence, and clean technology. Raimondo's participation in the U.S.-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) Ministerial underscores the commitment to fostering prosperity and cooperation in the region.
As the United States reaffirms its commitment to the Indo-Pacific, Raimondo's trade mission underscores the importance of sustained engagement and collaboration in driving economic growth and stability in the region.
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