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Rice calls for continuation of U.S. ties with S.E. Asia

Rice spoke of the growing economic and security ties between Southeast Asia and the United States.

By Ed Adamczyk
U.S. President Barack Obama and national security adviser Susan Rice. UPI/Molly Riley
U.S. President Barack Obama and national security adviser Susan Rice. UPI/Molly Riley | License Photo

WASHINGTON, Sept. 22 (UPI) -- Susan Rice, President Obama's national security adviser, called for enactment of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement Monday.

Speaking at the Brookings Institution on Monday, Rice said the proposed free-trade agreement between the United States, Australia, New Zealand and nine other countries bordering the Pacific Ocean in Asia and South America is crucial to U.S. interests, and would bring continued prosperity and a turn to democracy in the region.

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The significance of the Asian region is reinforced by President Obama's planned visit to China, Burma and Australia in November.

Rice also spoke highly of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which collectively has the seventh largest economy in the world and has an important role in the world economy's "rebalance to Asia."

China is a member of neither organization.

She added the United States is a "true friend to all the people of the region," and mentioned not only trade ties to Southeast Asia but security links and partners in what she termed "borderless crises," including climate change and recovery from weather-related disasters.

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Also speaking at the Brookings event was K. Shanmugam, Foreign Minister of Singapore, who noted the United States' actions historically are responsible for "underwriting security in Asia and the South Pacific," adding, "If the TPP does not succeed, America will be disadvantaged."

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