Washington, DC – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, led a bipartisan letter to President Trump urging him to attend the East Asia Summit (EAS) in Malaysia, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in South Korea, and a Quad Leaders’ Summit in India. The letter points to the importance of the Indo-Pacific for American security and prosperity, particularly as it relates to our strategic competition with the PRC, and how these multilateral summits represent unique opportunities for the president to demonstrate U.S. leadership and counter PRC ambitions in the region. 

“Your participation in these summits would be a powerful response to Xi’s diplomatic campaign, reassuring allies and reaffirming America’s leadership in the region,” the lawmakers said. “Your presence and voice will demonstrate that America remains committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific. We urge you to announce your decision to attend these summits as soon as possible.” 

Cosigners include Chairwoman and Ranking Member of the East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee, Young Kim and Ami Bera, and Chairman and Ranking Member of the South and Central Asia Subcommittee, Bill Huizenga and Sydney Kamlager-Dove.

The full text of the letter is below. A PDF copy of the letter is here.