Vitality in many sectors of the U.S. economy depends increasingly on engagement and opportunities in the growing Asia-Pacific region.“Only by committing ourselves in the long term to the Asia-Pacific region will we be able to promote successfully the economic prosperity of the United States,"said Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy,and the Environment Robert Hormats at the Asia Society Global Forum in Washington, D.C.The United States believes that the countries of the Asia-Pacific region can get more done,and do it more effectively, if they work together and supports strengthening of Asia-Pacific regional institutions.For example, by working with our partners through the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC, the region’s premier forum for economic cooperation,we have succeeded in lowering tariffs on environmental goods and services,worked toward instituting market-based, non-discriminatory innovation policies, and encouraged greater participation by women in APEC economies.Through both APEC and ASEAN, the United States is supporting capacity building programs in the critical energy sector;helping to boost the interconnectivity, and the development of natural gas, renewable energy and sustainable energy sources.Nonetheless, our highest trade priority, is a successful completion of negotiations by the end of this year, of the Trans-Pacific Partnership,
