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Abstract The US policy towards ASEAN is an important variable affecting the process of regional integration and cooperation in East Asia. The study of its trend is an important research agenda for keeping dynamics of regional integration and maintaining stability and cooperation in our neighborhood. During the Obama Administration, driven by the “AsiaPacific rebalance strategy”, the US strengthened its relations with ASEAN, attempting to take ASEAN multilateral institutions as a platform to lead the process of regional integration and cooperation in East Asia, and to balance Chinas regional influence. However, this policy did not achieve its desired effect. As President Trump went into office, the US policy toward ASEAN was faced with a possible change; the new Administration could play down its interest and involvement in ASEANcentered East Asia regionalism. However, with an extensive review of recent policy discussions and policy agenda in the US, the essay contends that it is unlikely that the US changes the existing AsiaPacific strategic goals, and there is limited room to adjust the means and ways to achieve the goals, which means that it is improbable that the Trump Administration would readjust substantially its engagement with ASEAN.
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