Dear SSJ Forum members,

For those who were unable to attend NBR's Engaging Asia conference on March 30, video and audio from the event are now available online, including a keynote address by USTR Ron Kirk about the United States' trade relationship with Asia, an update by Rear Admiral Scott Swift about Operation Tomodachi, and special remarks by Minister Akira Chiba from the Japanese Embassy. A summary of the event and links to video, audio, and transcripts are below.

ENGAGING ASIA 2011: The 112th Congress and Post-Crisis Asia

On March 30, "Engaging Asia 2011: The 112th Congress and Post-Crisis Asia" highlighted the increasing relevance of Asia to U.S. policy objectives in many areas. This half-day conference featured remarks by Ambassador Ron Kirk, U. S. Trade Representative; Congressman Rick Larsen (WA-02); Rear Admiral Scott Swift, U.S. Pacific Command; and Minister Akira Chiba from the Embassy of Japan.

Complimenting this was a panel presentation about NBR's recent publication, Aftershock: The 112th Congress and Post-Crisis Asia, during which authors Edward Gresser (ProgressiveEconomy) and Daniel Twining (The German Marshall Fund of the United States) examined the 112th Congress and U.S. policy toward Asia.

Topics addressed at Engaging Asia 2011 included:

- Congressional priorities in Asia in an uncertain budget climate
- The continued importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance
- The United States' commitment to support Japan's disaster relief through Operation Tomodachi
- The ongoing evolution of the U.S.-China relationship
- The role of KORUS and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in U.S. trade policy
Event Video

Follow the link to view video of USTR Ron Kirk's keynote address as well as presentations by Congressmen Rick Larsen, Rear Admiral Scott Swift, and Minister Akira Chiba.

Link: http://www.nbr.org/research/activity.aspx?id=117

Event Audio

Links to Mp3s of all the presentations are below:

"Welcome from NBR," by Rich Ellings, President, The National Bureau of Asian Research
Listen:
http://www.nbr.org/downloads/audio/ETA/EA_Conf2011_Rich_Ellings1.mp3

"Special Remarks," by Akira Chiba, Minister for Congressional Affairs, Embassy of Japan
Listen:
http://www.nbr.org/downloads/audio/ETA/EA_Conf2011_Akira_Chiba.mp3

"The Role of Congress in the U.S-China Relationship,"
by Congressman
Rick Larsen
Listen:
http://www.nbr.org/downloads/audio/ETA/EA_Conf2011_Rick_Larsen.mp3

"Update on Operation Tomodachi," by Rear Admiral Scott Swift, Director of Operations (J3), U.S. Pacific Command
Listen:
http://www.nbr.org/downloads/audio/ETA/EA_Conf2011_Scott_Swift.mp3

"Panel: The 112th Congress and Post-Crisis Asia," by Ed Gresser, Director, ProgressiveEconomy and Daniel Twining, Senior Fellow for Asia, The German Marshall Fund of the United States
Listen:
http://www.nbr.org/downloads/audio/ETA/EA_Conf2011_Gresser_Twining_Panel.mp3

"The Dynamic U.S. Trade Relationship with Asia,"
Ambassador Ron Kirk, United States Trade Representative
Listen:
http://www.nbr.org/downloads/audio/ETA/EA_Conf2011_USTR_Ron_Kirk.mp3

Event Transcripts and Publications

The 112th Congress and Post-Crisis Asia

Download the full NBR Report by Edward Gresser and Daniel Twining that details the challenges and opportunities facing the 112th Congress in the Asia-Pacific. (Free download through May 13, 2011.)
Link:
http://www.nbr.org/publications/element.aspx?id=490

Transcript of Ambassador Ron Kirk's remarks:
http://nbr.org/downloads/pdfs/ETA/EA_2011_RKirk_transcript.pdf

Transcript of Rear Admiral Scott Swift's remarks:
http://www.nbr.org/downloads/pdfs/ETA/EA_2011_Swift_Remarks.pdf

BACKGROUND ON ENGAGING ASIA

Engaging Asia is a comprehensive initiative that encourages integrated high-level discussion of U.S. interests in the Asia-Pacific by convening experts from the government and academic arenas to provide analysis and policy recommendations for future U.S. engagement with the region.
Engaging Asia 2011: The 112th Congress and Post-Crisis Asia is the fourth conference in this series.

Learn more about Engaging Asia:
http://www.nbr.org/research/activity.aspx?id=117

Tracy Timmons-Gray
The National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR) Seattle, Washington