The US plans to open a permanent office in Jakarta with an Asean ambassador before the end of the year

• The US plans to open a permanent office in Jakarta with an Asean ambassador before the end of the year. China stated last month it would do the same soon
• Last year, bilateral Asean-US trade reached US$178 billion (Bt5.9 trillion), while US investment in Asean amounted to $153 billion.
• Other key dialogue partners such as China, Japan, South Korea and India have an annual summit with Asean leaders. Russia is planning a second summit next year in Hanoi under the new Asean chair, Vietnam.