Events

Upcoming Events

Below is a list of upcoming AAIP events. Please click on the event and register your attendance if you wish to participate. AAIP events are open to AAIP members only.

Venue: Virtual

Event overview:

2026 promises to be a dynamic year for U.S. and Indo-Pacific relations and we are delighted Assistant Secretary DeSombre will join us to preview U.S. priorities for the year ahead. The topics to be discussed include: • Assistant Secretary DeSombre’s current assessment of the Indo-Pacific and a preview of the Trump Administration’s priorities for the year ahead. • How AAIP members can provide support to the efforts to pursue commercial diplomacy and achieve reciprocal trade relations. • The opportunities and challenges ahead. The dialogue will be followed by a Q+A session.

Quest speaker:
Michael DeSombre, Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

Moderator:
Steve Okun, Head of External Relations, AAIP

Date/Time:
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
9:00 a.m. Singapore Time

Previous Events

A list of previous AAIP events.

Venue: Virtual

Event overview:

AAIP members will hear from two excellent trade policy experts - one in Washington, D.C. and the other in region - as to what to watch following the Supreme Court’s hearing on the use of IEEPA for President Trump’s Liberation Day tariffs. If the Supreme Court upholds the President’s authority, what will that mean for those that export to the U.S.? If the decision goes the other way, how should businesses prepare? Could they get a refund? What happens to agreements between the United States and regional governments that have already been signed? Are there other tariffs that President Trump can substitute for the IEEPA tariffs?

Speakers Include:
Brian Pomper, Partner, Akin Gump
Dr. Deborah Elms, Head of Trade, Hinrich Foundation

Moderator:
Steve Okun, Head of External Relations, AAIP

Date/Time:
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
9:00 a.m. Singapore Time

Venue: Virtual

Event overview:

What should we know about what happened in Malaysia at the ASEAN meeting? What should we watch as we head to the APEC meetings? Amb. Kurt Tong, Former U.S. Ambassador to APEC and Managing Partner at The Asia Group, will provide his insights and analysis of what to watch at the coming APEC meetings and how to prepare for what may come next. Dato’ Siobhan Das, CEO of AmCham Malaysia, will provide insights beyond the headlines of what happened at the ASEAN meetings to help business leaders understand the impacts of the current geopolitical environment.

Speakers Include:
Ambassador Kurt Tong, Former U.S. Ambassador to APEC and Managing Partner at The Asia GroupMichael Hart, President, AmCham China
Dato’ Siobhan Das, Chief Executive Officer, AmCham Malaysia

Moderator:
Steve Okun, Head of External Relations, AAIP

Date/Time:
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
20:00 p.m. Singapore Time

Venue: Virtual

Event overview:

The leaders of the AmChams from China, Singapore and Vietnam will provide their perspectives on how geopolitics impacts their members and how they are preparing for what may come next. We will hear from Michael Hart on the US-China Trade War, from Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei on how gepolitics impacts regional headquarters, and national perspectives from Travis Mitchell in Vietnam and Dato' Siobhan Das in Malaysia.

Speakers Include:
Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei, Chief Executive Officer, AmCham Singapore
Michael Hart, President, AmCham China
Travis Mitchell, Executive Director, AmCham Vietnam in HCMC
Dato’ Siobhan Das, Chief Executive Officer, AmCham Malaysia

Moderator:
Steve Okun, Head of External Relations, AAIP

Date/Time:
Monday, September 29, 2025
10:00 a.m. Singapore Time

Venue: Virtual

Event overview:

While much of the focus is on tariffs in Trump 2.0. businesses need to focus on the significant changes coming to customs. We’ll takle key questions with expert insights: What’s changed about trade and customs since the start of the Administration? What’s coming? What’s the impact on the coming elimination of de minimis, changes in customs clearance, and further implications? What should we be watching on changes to rules of origin and how much of an impact that can have on trade?

Speakers Include:
John Leonard, Former Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Trade at U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Senior Advisor, Kim & Chang
Shiumei Lin, Vice President, Corporate Affairs, UPS Asia Pacific

Moderator:
Steve Okun, Head of External Relations, AAIP

Date/Time:
Thursday, August 28, 2025
10:00 a.m. Singapore Time

Venue: Washington, D.C.

Event overview:

AAIP will lead a delegation of American business leaders from the Indo-Pacific region to Washington, D.C. later this year (dates TBA). Delegates will engage directly with Trump Administration officials, Congressional leaders, and with leading think-tanks.

Venue: Virtual

Event overview:

What businesses should be watching, how they should be preparing, and what they should be communicating to the U.S. government - Where do the U.S. and China go from the recent London negotiations? - What are the next steps on Reciprocal Tariffs? - How are bilateral trade negotiations going (with on-the-ground perspective from Vietnam)

Speakers Include:
Barbara Weisel, Carnegie Foundation for International Peace and Former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative
Travis Mitchell, Executive Director at the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam

Moderator:
Steve Okun, Head of External Relations, AAIP

Date/Time:
Friday, June 20, 2025
8:30 a.m. Singapore Time

Venue: Virtual

Event overview:

AAIP will use this discussion to further explore the impacts businesses are experiencing due to the Trump Administration’s international trade policy with a focus on its actions regarding China.

Panelists:
Ambassador Kurt Tong, Partner, The Asia Group
Michael Hart, President, AmCham China
Dato’ Siobhan Das, CEO, AmCham Malaysia

Moderator:
Steve Okun, Head of External Relations, AAIP

Date/Time:
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
9:30 a.m. Singapore Time

Venue: Virtual

Event overview:

Join us for the launch of the AAIP’s Tax Reform Committee, an initiative aimed at reforming the way Americans residing and working abroad are taxed by the United States. The stars are aligned this year in Washington to pass Residence-Based Taxation for qualifying Americans, eliminating the requirement to report income earned outside the U.S. and the burdensome FBAR and FATCA compliance. AAIP firmly believes that this reform will enhance American business competitiveness and foster increased Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

Speakers Include:
Jackson Cox, President of AAIP
Robert Mack, Treasurer, Tax Fairness for Americans Abroadd (TFFAA)
Mark Warren, Shareholder, Brownstein

Date/Time:
Thursday, May 13, 2025
9:00 p.m. Singapore Time

Venue: Virtual

Event overview:

With the America First Trade Policy now impacting the Indo-Pacific region directly, AAIP will host an interactive discussion with three key experts. We will explore how the U.S. government executes its trade agenda, the impact in the region from a trade, supply chain, and business perspective, and how to think about the changing global trading system and what it means for business.

Panelists:
Barbara Weisel, Former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative and AAIP Advisory Board Member
Dr. Deborah Elms, Head of Trade, Hinrich Foundation
Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei, Chief Executive Officer, AmCham Singapore

Moderated by:
Steve Okun, AAIP Head of External Relations

Date/Time:
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
8:00 a.m. Singapore Time

Venue: Virtual

Event overview:

What should businesses and investors understand about the Trump Administration’s approach to SE Asia? How might the region be impacted by US-China policy? How may the Administration approach the region from a multilateral versus a bilateral perspective?

Speakers:
Siobhan Das, CEO of AmCham Malaysia
Greg Poling, Director of Southeast Asia Programs, CSIS

Moderated by:
Steve Okun, AAIP Head of External Relations

Date/Time:
Thursday, March 27, 2025
8:00 a.m. Singapore Time

Wednesday, March 26, 2025
8:00 p.m. Washington, D.C. Time

Venue: Virtual

Event overview:

This event, held shortly after the discussions between AAIP and the U.S. House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, will feature Michael Hart, the President of the American Chamber of Commerce in China. This event offers an exclusive glimpse into U.S. business operations in China in 2025, provides an update on China’s communications with the Trump Administration, and delves into China’s efforts to regain influence and win back the trust of its domestic private sector.

Speaker:
Michael Hart, President of AmCham China

Moderated by:
Steve Okun, AAIP Head of External Relations

Date/Time:
Friday, March 14, 2025
10:00 a.m. Singapore Time

Thursday, March 13, 2025
10:00 p.m. Washington Time

Venue: Virtual

Event overview:

AAIP continues its Virtual Doorknock series with a timely bi-partisan conversation with two senior staff leaders from the U.S. House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. The virtual meeting will be moderated by Steven Okun, Head of External Relations for AAIP and will touch on the critical areas where the Select Committee’s work intersects with the operations and interests of American businesses across the Indo-Pacific: trade, tariffs, export controls, etc.

Speakers:
Jake Parker, Professional Staff Member, Select Committee on the CCP
Rory Daly, Professional Staff Member, Select Committee on the CCP

Moderated by:
Steve Okun, AAIP Head of External Relations

Date/Time:
Thursday, March 6, 2025
9:30 a.m. Singapore Time

Wednesday, March 5, 2025
8:30 p.m. Washington Time

Venue: Virtual

Event overview:

As AAIP develops its agenda to engage with the Trump Administration and the new Congress, it will host a virtual door knock with leaders from The Heritage Foundation, an American conservative think tank based in Washington, DC. AAIP’s Steven Okun will moderate the discussion to obtain an understanding of Heritage’s Strategic Priorities in “Fighting for America’s Future” and the role of US business and investment in the Indo-Pacific as part of the America First foreign policy.

Heritage Foundation Panelists:
Steve Yates, Senior Research Fellow, China, and National Security Policy
Michael Cunningham, Research Fellow, China, Asian Studies Center
Miles Pollard, Policy Analyst, Economic Policy

Moderated by:
Steve Okun, AAIP Head of External Relations

Date/Time:
Friday, February 21, 2025
8:00 a.m. Singapore Time

Venue: Virtual

Event overview:

  • In an interactive AAIP members meeting, Steven Okun, AAIP Head of External Affairs, will discuss with Dr. Deborah Elms, Head of Trade Policy at the Hinrich Foundation, how AAIP members should prepare for the coming tariffs from the Trump Administration.
  • What authorities does the President have to issue tariffs? What is the process for doing so for each? What will be the impact of such tariffs on global trade?
  • What are the key takeaways from the America First Trade Policy issued on Jan 20?
  • What issues should AAIP focus on in working with the Trump Administration and Congress on trade and tairffs?

Venue: Virtual

Event overview:

Join this timely discussion with two noted Washington insiders, Jonathan Mantz and Loren Monroe, from the BGR Group, one of Washington’s premier lobbying firms. What will the new Congress mean for business, investment, trade, and foreign policy? What issues should AAIP prioritize in its engagement with Congress and the new Administration? Is now the right time to re-activate a push for territorial taxation for U.S. citizens? Many more questions and issues!

A panel discussion with:
Loren Monroe, Practice Co-Head, Principal, BGR Group
Jonathan Mantz, Practice Co-Head, Principal, BGR Group

Moderated by:
Steve Okun, AAIP Head of External Relations

Date/Time:
Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. Washington, D.C. Time
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. Singapore Time (GMT+8)

Venue: Virtual

Event overview:

As AAIP prepares its positions and engagement plans for the next Administration, we need to better understand the debates underway in Washington, D.C., and how the issues important to AAIP are being framed. In particular, AAIP members must know how the U.S. government views the competition with China, the actions being contemplated, and how the issues in the debate around trade are forming for AAIP to be most effective in adding regional perspectives. Kurt Tong and Barbara Weisel will provide valuable perspective on what is happening in Washington, D.C., so AAIP can be most impactful in framing key issues so D.C. decision-makers can have the fullest sense of the implications for potential policy decisions.

A panel discussion with AAIP Advisory Board Members:
Barbara Weisel, Managing Director, Rock Creek Global Advisors
Ambassador Kurt Tong, Partner, The Asia Group

Moderated by:
Steve Okun, AAIP Head of External Relations

Date/Time:
Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at 8:30 p.m. Washington Time
Thursday, October 10, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. Singapore Time (GMT+8)

Venue: Event location will be provided to confirmed participants.

Event overview:

The event is organized jointly with AAIP, AmCham Singapore, US-ABC, and the BSA. Our organizations support ambitious and binding IPEF agreements, and we are hopeful that a bold digital chapter will soon emerge. Our discussions on May 9 will focus on learning more about the perspectives of the IPEF digital negotiators as their talks enter a critical phase and for the private sector to share some of our recommendations and priorities.

Venue: In-person at the AmCham Singapore Office or virtual participation via Zoom

Event overview:

Members of the IPEF Taskforce will come together to chart the next steps for IPEF engagement as negotiations enter an important phase, with expectations for some IPEF agreements to be reached this year. The IPEF Taskforce comprises American-headquartered companies, AmChams from IPEF countries, and members of AAIP’s Advisory Board. If you are participating via Zoom, a link will be sent to you 24 hours prior to the event.

Meeting agenda:

9:00 a.m.  IPEF Taskforce members meet to chart the way forward for our IPEF engagement - defining priorities, exploring bolder opportunities, and discussing the best engagement strategy

10:30 a.m. Coffee Break

10:45 a.m.  Catch up with U.S. Embassy representatives Lisa Rigoli and Chris Quinlivan from Singapore and Brad Harker and Paul Frost from Hong Kong

11:30 a.m.  Meeting concludes

Venue: Virtual

Event overview:

IPEF Taskforce participants are invited to a virtual consultation with Australia’s lead IPEF negotiators. This will be an excellent opportunity to learn more about how the Australian government views the state of negotiations and what they see as key opportunities, and for us to share our recommendations and proposals to ensure the IPEF yields bold and binding agreements.

Event Date:

Thursday, February 23 at 9 a.m. Singapore Time / Wednesday, February 22 at 8 p.m. Washington, D.C. Time

Registration:

You must register at the link below to attend this virtual meeting. A Zoom link will be emailed to you 24 hours before the event.

Event Speakers: 

  • Andrew Martin, IPEF Deputy Chief Negotiator
  • Doug Drummond, IPEF Trade Negotiations Section Director
  • Cecilia Brennan, IPEF Strategy and Coordination Section

Agenda:

Update from Australia’s IPEF Team

  • State of negotiations
  • Views on key IPEF opportunities and potential challenges
  • Way forward for 2023

Updates from the IPEF Taskforce

  • Recent input and recommendations from AAIP
  • Planned IPEF engagement for 2023

Q&A

Venue: Virtual

Event overview:

The IPEF Taskforce will receive the latest updates from the lead U.S. IPEF negotiators and discuss important next steps for the Taskforce, including the development of potential recommendations and input for each IPEF pillar, regional and bi-lateral engagement with IPEF partners, and other actions the Taskforce can take to build support for bold and binding IPEF agreements.

Featured speakers:
Sarah Ellerman, IPEF Senior Official and Acting Assistant USTR for Southeast Asia and the Pacific
Sharon Yuan, IPEF Senior Official, Counselor and Chief Negotiator, Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, U.S. Department of Commerce

 

Meeting agenda:
  • Opening Remarks by Jackson Cox, Interim President of AAIP
  • IPEF updates from Sarah Ellerman and Sharon Yuan
  • Moderated discussion and Q&A
  • Next steps and action items

Venue: Marina Bay Sands - Singapore

Event overview:

Dialogue: 4PM-6PM, Reception: 6PM-7PM

Featuring:

Congressman Steve Cohen

Congressman Ron Estes

Congresswoman Carol Miller

Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne

Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei, CEO, AmCham Singapore

Steven Chan, International Head of Government Relations, Asia-Pacific & Latin America, PayPal

Venue: AmCham Singapore Office - Board Room

Event overview:

Hybrid Event:  Join in person or online

Meeting Agenda:

  • Taskforce overview by Jackson Cox, Interim President of AAIP
  • Introduction of Taskforce Advisors
  • Review and Adopt IPEF Statement of Principles
  • Review and Agree to Taskforce Schedule of Events
  • Approve Taskforce Co-Chairs
  • Other business

Venue: Virtual

Event overview:

The American Association of the Indo-Pacific (AAIP), in close collaboration with AmCham Singapore, invites the business community to the release of an AAIP report that focuses on bringing in the U.S. private sector to support the development of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure & Investment (PGII) in the Indo-Pacific region.

Announced by President Biden yesterday in Germany, the PGII is a U.S.-led G7 effort to narrow the infrastructure gap in low- and middle-income countries through a new high-standard, values-driven, and re-imagined development finance model that efficiently mobilizes, coordinates, and connects private sector capital to impactful projects. PGII projects will focus on four key sectors: climate and energy security, digital connectivity, health & health security, and gender equality & equity.

In addition, the recent announcement that Singapore has formally joined the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) discussions further underscores the importance of Singapore’s role in the PGII. AAIP’s report on the PGII makes the bold recommendation of establishing a PGII Indo-Pacific secretariat in Singapore to help locate and craft bankable projects and advise on the strategic development of funds, guarantees, and technical support to maximize development impact.

Join AAIP and AmCham Singapore and learn about the potential of the PGII, discuss the main recommendations in the AAIP report, and explore the four PGII areas of focus and what those could mean for U.S. businesses and investors.

Speakers:

Jonathan Kaplan
U.S. Ambassador to Singapore

Jason Bajaj
Co-Founder & Co-Managing Partner, The Osiris Group

Steven Xavier Chan
International Head of Government Relations, Asia-Pacific & Latin America, PayPal

Simon Booker
Partner & Infrastructure Leader, PwC

Moderated Panel Discussion:

Ambassador Kurt Tong
Partner, The Asia Group

Hsien-Hsien Lei
CEO, AmCham Singapore

Charles Freeman
Senior Vice President for Asia, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

David A. Katz
KKR, Managing Director of Public Affairs, Asia-Pacific

Matt Murray
U.S. Senior Official for APEC & Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

Danica R. Starks
Head of DOC Multilateral Development Bank Group & Senior U.S. Commercial Liaison to the World Bank

In Partnership with:

AmCham Singapore

Event Sponsored by:

PayPal

 

Venue: Virtual Meeting - Zoom meeting link will be provided to registered participants

Event overview:

In cooperation with Akin Gump, AAIP will convene leaders of American businesses in the Indo-Pacific for a collaborative discussion with an excellent panel of policy experts in Washington to develop a clear statement from AAIP on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. The U.S. Department of Commerce and the Office of the United States Trade Representative have requested public comment by April 11 on matters relating to supply chain resiliency, clean energy, decarbonization, infrastructure, taxation, anti-corruption, and fair and resilient trade. This event will provide an excellent opportunity to ensure that valuable perspectives from those who lead American businesses in the region are used to inform the policy process in Washington.

Panelists: 

Wendy Cutler
Vice President & Managing Director, Asia Society Policy Institute

Barbara Weisel
Managing Director, Rock Creek Global Advisors

Moderator: 

Brian Pomper
Partner, Akin Gump

Date & Time:

Thursday, March 31 at 8 a.m., Hong Kong/Singapore time
(Wednesday, March 30 at 8 p.m. Washington, D.C. time)

Venue:

Virtual Meeting - Zoom meeting link will be provided to registered participants

Venue: coming soon

Event overview:

Join a discussion with U.S. business leaders and Biden Administration officials on the path forward for the Build Back Better World initiative.

Event Agenda: