In mid-July, members from AmCham Hanoi and 12 other AmChams in the region traveled to Washington to advocate for policies that will leverage the Asia-Pacific’s growth for greater opportunities for American businesses. Our message to the Trump administration and Congress was simple: US companies need an integrated, cohesive strategy toward the region encompassing, among other things, high-standard bilateral and/or multilateral free trade agreements.

AmCham members explained that this effort should be seen as complimentary, not adverse, to the administration’s focus on expanding the economy and creating jobs. The ongoing trade war and Vietnam’s growing trade surplus with the United States were hot topics at our meetings with senior Administration officials – including Secretary of State Pompeo – and with members of the Senate and House of Representatives.

We also focused on other US policies affecting overseas Americans and business operations, including taxation policy, FATCA implementation and more.