Read a summary of this discussion here.

A special discussion with the U.S. ambassadors to Indonesia, Laos, and Thailand about U.S.-ASEAN relations. This event is presented in partnership with the Asia Society Southern California, the US-ASEAN Business Council, the USC Marshall School IBEAR MBA Program, and USC's U.S.-China Institute.

Today, the 10 countries of ASEAN—Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam—are the fourth largest export market for the United States, and the number one destination for U.S. foreign direct investment in Asia. Trade with ASEAN supports almost 550,000 American jobs.

Join Asia Society Southern California, the US-ASEAN Business Council, the Pacific Council on International Policy, the USC Marshall School IBEAR MBA Program, and USC's U.S.-China Institute for a special discussion with the U.S. ambassadors to Indonesia, Laos, and Thailand about America’s trade and investment relations and the future of U.S.-Southeast Asia relations.

This event is part of "The U.S. Ambassadors’ Tour," a US-ASEAN Business Council initiative aimed at forging economic and people-to-people connections between U.S. business, government, and academic leaders and ASEAN markets. Learn more at usasean.org.

How can the United States and ASEAN strengthen their trade and investment relations? What challenges do these allies face in the Asia-Pacific region?

Featuring:

Ambassador Rena Bitter, U.S. Ambassador to the Lao People's Democratic Republic

Rena Bitter has served as U.S. Ambassador to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic since November 2016. Previously, she served as Consul General at the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and was the Director of the State Department Operations Center and Special Assistant to former Secretary of State Colin Powell. Follow her on Twitter @USEmbassyVTE. Read more.

Ambassador Glyn T. Davies, U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand

Glyn T. Davies has served as U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand since August 2015. Previously, he served as the Special Representative of the U.S. Secretary of State for North Korea Policy and several other senior-level diplomatic assignments. He holds a B.S. from Georgetown University and an M.S. with distinction from the National War College. Follow him on Twitter @GlynTDavies @USEmbassyBKK. Read more.

Ambassador Joseph R. Donovan, U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia

Joseph R. Donovan has served as U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia since November 2016. Previously, he served as Foreign Policy Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs at the Department of State. He holds a B.S.F.S. from Georgetown University and an M.A. from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. Follow him on Twitter @USEmbassyJKT. Read more.

Mr. Alexander C. Feldman, President and CEO, US-ASEAN Business Council

Alexander C. Feldman has been the President & CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council since 2009. He served in the Bush 41 and 43 Administrations and held the rank of U.S. Assistant Secretary of State while leading the Bureau of International Information Programs. He also was the senior adviser to the Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. Follow him on Twitter @Feld33. Read more.