ASEAN and the US underscored the importance of further strengthening economic ties during the recent visit of five economic ministers, deputy ministers and officials from ASEAN Member States to Seattle and Washington DC from 2-6 May 2010. Malaysia was represented by Dato Sri Mustapa Mohamed, Minister of International Trade and Industry.

In the discussions with United States Trade Representatives, officials, congressmen, business leaders and think tanks in the US, South East Asian Economic Ministers stressed that ASEAN represents a significant market for products and services as well as an investment destination for US. Collectively, ASEAN accounts for 6 per cent of the total trade of US which is the same as the US trade with Japan, and more than US trade with Korea (3 per cent) and India (1 per cent).