The United States is pouring $2.5 billion into Southeast Asia to fund security cooperation, infrastructure, technology, energy projects and the fight against transnational crime to show its 100-percent commitment to the region. US Ambassador to ASEAN Kevin Kim announced during a virtual briefing that the funding follows Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Manila, where he met with ASEAN and regional leaders.

“The United States is with ASEAN 100 percent,” Kim said, quoting from President Donald Trump’s remarks last year in Kuala Lumpur. “That is the United States policy.”

Kim said Southeast Asia will drive global economic growth this century, adding that Washington wants to be part of that growth.

The Philippines will get more military help since the US is raising its grant assistance from $40 million to $100 million. Kim said the increase will allow Manila to defend its sovereignty and deter conflicts.

The move comes after a third reported incident between Chinese and Philippine vessels at sea.

Kim said freedom of navigation remains central to US national security. He said Washington’s treaty obligations to Manila stand firm.

Funds target scams, crime

The US will also give $2.5 billion to fight scams and other crimes across ASEAN. The money will support efforts against cyber fraud, drug trafficking, and money laundering.

FBI director Kash Patel is touring the region to discuss the issue with local leaders. He has visited Cambodia and is headed to Indonesia, Kim said.

Washington has also worked with tech giants Meta and Google. Together they drafted 10 principles for public-private cooperation against online scams.

A large share of the $2.5 billion will go toward technology. The US launched a new program called US-Asean AI Spark. It will give Southeast Asian governments money and technical help to use American AI systems in government work.

The US is also investing $1.5 billion to build energy infrastructure across the Indo-Pacific. Kim called it the largest single project investment in the history of the US Development Finance Corporation.

Washington also plans to expand access to American liquefied natural gas. It will also share US power grid technology and work with the region on small nuclear reactors.

Kim said the US signed a deal with Japan and South Korea on small modular reactors during a NATO meeting. He said talks with individual ASEAN governments are ongoing but gave no other details.

Tariffs still sticking point

Reporters pressed Kim on new US tariffs announced just a day after the ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting. Four ASEAN countries now face a 12.5-percent tariff.

Kim did not answer directly. He said trade matters fell under the US Trade Representative’s office. He said Trump was elected to fix trade imbalances built up over decades.

“Trade simply is one part of the relationship,” Kim said. He said Washington remains committed to Southeast Asia regardless of other global tensions.