Congressman Don Beyer and Asian Americans: Advancing US-Southeast Asia Relations

A former U.S. Ambassador and local business and civic leader, Congressman Donald Beyer of Virginia’s 8th District provided a Capitol Hill perspective on current domestic and foreign policy issues focusing on the Nov 5 U.S. elections, 2025 legislative priorities, and U.S. relations with Southeast Asia. The October 21 event was held at the Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC. The US-Philippines Society invited leaders of the Vietnam Society and the U.S.-Indonesia Society to participate, along with members of the diplomatic corps.

Congressman Beyer represents a Virginia district including Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, and parts of Fairfax County, home to a growing and thriving community of 12%-14% Asian Americans. He has deep ties to the greater Washington area and wide experience internationally.

On the occasion of the Filipino American History Month in October and the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Leyte Gulf, he recognized the enduring and deep bonds formed as Americans and Filipino soldiers fought together, and more than a hundred thousand Filipinos died for freedom and democracy during WWII.

Fifty years after the arrival of many Vietnamese in the U.S. at the end of Vietnam War, Vietnamese American communities now constitute an important part of the fabric of American life, alongside immigrants from the Philippines, Indonesia and others.

Congressman Beyer advocates for free trade and immigration policies that drive economic growth in America. Representing Asian American constituents, he described how they create economic dynamism, “emblematic of the energy that we have in first and second generation Asian Americans who build this economy in a great way.” He cited reports showing the importance of Asian American leadership heading today’s Fortune 500 companies.

Following his visit to the Philippines as part of the first congressional delegation to meet President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr in August 2022, he recently introduced as lead sponsor the bill called the “NURSE Visa Act” to create 20,000 more nonimmigrant visas just for nurses to help fill that gap and specifically focused on the Philippines.

Congressman Beyer addressed trade policy differences among candidates in the upcoming election. He also acknowledged the need for agreement on the supply of critical minerals, and less protectionism on the part of both parties as a way to enhance trade relations with partners and allies in Asia.

Regardless of the election outcome, Congressman Beyer expects that Congress will prioritize action on expiring tax cut legislation passed under President Trump which reduced the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% and will expire automatically in 2025.

On immigration, Congressman Beyer worried that if Trump wins, stricter measures will be imposed at a time when the country needs more legal immigration. He is hopeful that Harris will move in the opposite direction to encourage a process of legal immigration into the country.

In his view, it is important to effectively manage U.S. relations with China, including on global rules of trade, the WTO, and the UN in the years ahead, and promote a policy framework that advances a commitment to democracy and human rights.

During the discussion that followed, Vietnam Society co-founder Erin Steinhauer sought pointers in managing tariffs, a concern among enterprising Vietnamese Americans. Congressman Beyer said that international trade creates jobs, but acknowledged that factors like advances in technology and difficulty in retraining and relocating workers have cost jobs for some workers. On a positive note, he said that international trade has contributed to overall prosperity, while lowering poverty rates. He also described the benefits of a diverse workforce. He encouraged the audience to balance the tradition of insularity with participation and assimilating with a greater community so as to gain political and social power necessary to advance their agenda on trade and other matters. He noted a growth in the number of Asian Americans in Congress, state and local government.

Representing the U.S.-Indonesia Society, President Ambassador David Merrill raised the prospect of critical minerals agreement between the U.S. and Indonesia, the world’s largest supplier of nickel. Congressman Beyer favored the Inflation Reduction Act that created tax incentives including $7500 tax credit for electric vehicles and stated that he is supportive of more trade agreements with countries supplying critical minerals necessary in the production of batteries for electric vehicles.

Congressman Beyer emphasized the need to find the right balance in weighing environment and labor standards in U.S. trade policy, a point raised by US-Philippines Society President Emeritus Ambassador John F. Maisto.

Concerns on mental health for Vietnamese youth, access to resources, education to counter misinformation, building coalitions among strategic partners were other topics discussed.

Asian Americans, policy analysts, and members of the diplomatic corps participated in the Capitol Hill event, 21 October 2024.