Us-Japan-Rok Trilateral Cooperation Act

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3429, the U.S.-Japan-ROK Trilateral Cooperation Act.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues Representatives Wilson, Kelly, Castro, Smith, and the late Honorable Gerry Connolly, co-chairs of the Korea and Japan caucuses, for introducing this bill with me.

Congressman Connolly was a tireless advocate for America's alliances and a strong believer in the power of trilateral cooperation between the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. I am proud to see the House continuing his important work today.

The Indo-Pacific is at the center of America's economic and strategic future. In the region, the United States faces a complex array of challenges, including authoritarian aggression, economic coercion, and emerging security threats.

Our ability to address these challenges requires strong alliances and close coordination with our partners.

The trilateral relationship between the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea is one of the most strategically significant partnerships that we have.

These are two of our closest allies, democracies that share our values, interests, and commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The 2023 Camp David Leaders' Summit marked a historic step forward in trilateral cooperation, leading to expanded collaboration on military exercises, ballistic missile defense, cybersecurity development, finance, maritime security, and science and technology.

Strong partnerships need strong institutions. Since the Camp David summit, all three countries have experienced changes in executive leadership. That reality underscores why we must create mechanisms that ensure trilateral cooperation endures beyond any single administration.

This is exactly what H.R. 3429 seeks to accomplish. The bill codifies an annual inter-parliamentarian dialogue among the United States Congress, Japan's National Diet, and South Korea's National Assembly. It creates a formal mechanism for lawmakers from all three countries to meet regularly and coordinate on issues including defense, economic security, public health, and emerging technologies.

The legislation establishes a bipartisan and bicameral congressional delegation to participate in these discussions, ensuring that congressional engagement remains consistent and sustained over time.

Most importantly, this bill helps institutionalize trilateral cooperation so that our partnership continues to grow, regardless of political transitions in any of the three countries.

The bill sends a clear message: The United States is committed to long-term cooperation with our allies in Japan and South Korea. It recognizes that our trilateral partnership is not simply a response to the current challenges but a strategic investment in a more secure, prosperous, and stable Indo-Pacific.

Mr. Speaker, diplomacy is key to peace because we are stronger together with our allies. Whether it is the challenges posed by North Korea or the People's Republic of China, trilateral cooperation is one of the critical ways to ensure that America and our two closest allies in Asia are working hand in hand toward our common interests and advancement of peace and prosperity in the region. Congressional engagement with Japan and Korea will sustain long-term support and resources for trilateral cooperation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this measure. I yield back the balance of my time.

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