Corporate Members briefed on Trump Administration’s Indo-Pacific strategy

Thomas Hardy, Director of the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), briefed Asia House Corporate Members on 19 March, shedding light on how the strategically important Indo-Pacific region has emerged as a key focus for the Trump Administration.

During the private, off-the-record briefing, Hardy introduced the USTDA and spoke about its mandate. He noted that their broad areas of focus are energy, digital connectivity and infrastructure, before elaborating on their current portfolio in the Indo-Pacific region and specific projects.

Hardy also spoke about the Trump Administration’s ‘Free and Open’ strategy for the Indo-Pacific region and the role for other regional players.

The USTDA is the leading agency focusing on increasing US jobs and exports in developing markets across the globe, playing a key role in advancing the Trump Administration’s Indo-Pacific aspirations. Since 1981, it has been connecting the private sector to priority infrastructure projects in the region, including funding over 850 activities in 23 countries. Its current portfolio focuses on India, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Earlier in his career at USTDA, Hardy served as the Chief of Staff and as a Country Manager in the East Asia and sub-Saharan Africa regions. Prior to joining USTDA, he was an advisor to Commissioner Thelma Askey at the US International Trade Commission and a staff member of the Committee on Ways and Means in the US House of Representatives.

This briefing was held exclusively for Asia House Corporate Members.