Photo: MOHD RASFAN/AFP/Getty Images
From July 25 to 31, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken embarked on a series of trips throughout the Indo-Pacific—stopping by Laos, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Singapore, in addition to Japan and Mongolia—to reaffirm U.S. partnerships within the region.
Blinken kicked off his trip in Laos, where he attended the U.S.-ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference and ASEAN Regional Forum from July 25 to 27, which followed the annual ASEAN Ministerial Meeting. Blinken held talks with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi, including on the South China Sea, Beijing’s behavior toward Taiwan, and China’s support for Russia’s war in Ukraine. During the meetings, the Philippines managed to successfully resupply its forces aboard the BRP Sierra Madre at Second Thomas Shoal, suggesting that a provisional agreement reached between Manila and Beijing is working to deescalate tensions, at least for the moment.
On July 27, Blinken visited Vietnam to pay his respects to the late Communist Party chief, Nguyen Phu Trong. Blinken also met with President To Lam, who is also serving as Trong’s interim successor, and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to discuss progress in the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.
Blinken then participated in the July 30 2+2 ministerial dialogue in Manila, alongside Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and their Philippine counterparts Enrique Manalo and Gilberto Teodoro. Significant deliverables aimed at bolstering the Philippines’ defense capabilities, as outlined in the Philippines-Security Sector Assistance Roadmap, were achieved: the United States notably pledged $500 million in FY24 foreign military financing to support the Philippines’ military, coast guard, and cybersecurity efforts. The two sides also recommitted to finalize a General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) by the end of the year, which would facilitate the timely sharing of classified information and military technology cooperation. The conclusion of the 2+2 ministerial dialogue sent a clear message of the two countries’ strengthened cooperation in the defense arena.
Blinken concluded his trip to the region in Singapore from July 30 to 31, meeting Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and other officials to discuss the countries’ efforts in capacity building and nuclear cooperation. In particular, Singapore and the U.S. signed a 123 Agreement providing legal frameworks for peaceful nuclear cooperation. Singapore’s Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment clarified that the country has not finalized any decisions about the deployment of nuclear energy. The agreement is set to last for 30 years and must first be reviewed by the U.S. Congress for formal approval.
Amelie De Leon is a Research Intern for the Southeast Asia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, D.C. Gregory B. Poling is a senior fellow and director for the Southeast Asia Program and the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at CSIS. Japhet Quitzon is a research associate with the Southeast Asia Program at CSIS.
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