WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Jack Reed (D-RI) are leading a bipartisan delegation of U.S. senators to Vietnam and Singapore next week.  The trip comes at a critical time for U.S. interests in the Asia-Pacific region.

McCain, the Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, and Reed, the panel’s Ranking Member, will be joined on the trip to Vietnam by U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), and U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK).  In Singapore, the delegation will be joined by Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI).

In Vietnam, the senators will meet with top government officials and civil society leaders in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to discuss a range of vital security and economic issues important to the Asia-Pacific region.  This year marks the 40th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War and the 20th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the United States and Vietnam, an effort in which Senator McCain played a leading role.

In Singapore, the senators will participate in the 2015 Asia Security Summit, also known as The Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual conclave of Asia-Pacific defense ministers and policy makers, including U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter.  More information on the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) and the Shangri-La Dialogue is available here: https://www.iiss.org/en/events/shangri-s-la-s-dialogue.  The focus at this year’s Summit will likely be on China's reclamation activities in the South China Sea.  Senators McCain and Reed have both expressed concern about the disruptive activities in the South China Sea that have raised tensions in the region, especially with Vietnam and the Philippines. 

The trip will also be an opportunity for the senators to discuss economic engagement and opportunities for expanding bilateral trade with Vietnam and Singapore while strengthening accountability and transparency.

Although Singapore is smaller than Rhode Island, it is the world’s second busiest port, according to the World Shipping Council.  Last year, Singapore ranked as Rhode Island’s 9th largest customer in terms of exports from the state.

The Panama Canal expansion, soon to be completed, could have significant impacts on shipping routes and create new opportunities for direct shipping between East Coast ports and Asia.

The senators are scheduled to depart for the region over the weekend and will return next week.

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