Trump says US committed to promote peace in Indo-Pacific region

US President Donald Trump speaks at the Asean-US Summit on Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. (Photo from an RTVM video)

United States President Donald Trump on Monday told member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) of his country’s commitment to promote peace and security in the region.

“I am here to advance peace, to promote security, and to work with you to truly achieve an open Indo-Pacific where we are proud, and we have sovereign nations, and we thrive, and everybody wants to prosper,” Trump said at the Asean-US 40th Anniversary Commemorative Summit in Manila.

“The United States remains committed to Asean’s central role as a regional forum for total cooperation,” he added. “This diplomatic partnership advances the prosperity and security of the American people and the people of all Indo-Pacific nations.”

Trump boasted before regional leaders of America’s gains during his administration.

“As the world knows, the United States since our election on Nov. 8 [2016], has been moving ahead really brilliantly on an economic basis,” he said.

“We’ve had the highest stock market we’ve ever had,” he added. “We’ve had the lowest unemployment in 17 years, and the value of stocks has risen $5.5 trillion. And companies are moving in to the US, a lot of companies are moving back. They want to be there.”

Trump said America’s progress would be good for the Indo-Pacific region.

“We’re very happy about that and we think that bodes very well for your region because of the relationship that we have,” he said. “We want our partners in the region to be strong, independent, and prosperous, in control of their own destinies, and satellites to no one.” /atm